Essence of Geometrical Constructions

Geometry is a concept that deals with lines, angles, shapes of objects, sizes
and dimensions. To represent shapes on a paper we need to draw
them accurately with the help of tools like rulers, protractors or compasses.
The simplest construction is that of a line. We start with a point and extend
it slowly to draw a line. A line can have a fixed measurement or an infinite
length. Similarly, angles, circles and other shapes can be constructed with
the correct procedure and the given dimensions.
Geometrical Construction Definition

Geometrical construction means drawing lines, line segments, shapes,

circles and other figures accurately using a ruler, a compass, or a
protractor. Most of the geometrical figures involve drawing a line segment,
drawing parallel and perpendicular lines, perpendicular bisectors, circles,
and even drawing tangents to circles.
Basic Geometric Constructions

The following section explains the basic geometric constructions for angles
and circles.
Angles

There are three types of angles. The following lines describe how these
types of angles can be drawn with the help of a protractor and a ruler.
Acute Angle: An angle whose measure is less than 90° is called an acute
angle. Let us draw an acute angle of 40° with the help of the following
steps.
 Step 1: Draw a straight line with a ruler and mark the end points
as A and B.
 Step 2: Place the protractor on point 'A' such that the point
coincides with the centre of the protractor.
  Step 3: Now, considering the bottom scale of the protractor,
identify 40° and mark it 'C'. Join point 'C' to point 'A' to form an
acute angle CAB = 40°
The construction of an acute angle is shown in the figure below.

Obtuse Angle: An angle whose measure is greater than 90° is called an

obtuse angle. Let us draw an acute angle of 110° with the help of the
following steps.
 Step 1: Draw a straight line with a ruler and mark the end points
as Q and R.
 Step 2: Place the protractor on point 'Q' such that the point
coincides with the centre of the protractor.
 Step 3: Now, considering the bottom scale of the protractor,
identify 110° and mark it 'P'. Join point 'P' to point 'Q' to form an
obtuse angle PQR = 110°
The construction of an obtuse angle is shown in the figure below.
Right Angle: A right angle measures exactly 90° and we can construct a
right angle with the help of the following steps.
 Step 1: Draw a straight line with a ruler and mark the end points
as A and B.
 Step 2: Place the protractor on point 'A' such that the point
coincides with the centre of the protractor.
 Step 3: Now, considering the bottom scale of the protractor,
identify 90° and mark it 'C'. Join point 'C' to point 'A' to form
a right angle CAB = 90°.
The construction of a right angle is shown in the figure below.
Circles

Some important terms related to circles are discussed below.

 Circumference: Circumference is defined as the boundary of a
circle.
 Radius: Radius is measured as the distance between the center
of the circle to any point on the circumference.
 Diameter: Diameter is a line segment passing through the center
of the circle, whose endpoints touch the circumference of the
circle.
 Chord: Chord is the line segment joining any two points on the
circumference of a circle.

Follow the steps given below to draw a circle of radius 5 units using a
compass.
 Step 1: Using a ruler, set the required width in the compass to 5
units.
 Step 2: Place the pointed tip of the compass at a point
considering it to be the center of the circle and rotate it fully to
draw a circle.
The circle with radius 5 units will look as shown in the following figure.

Terms and Definitions Used in Geometrical

Constructions

 Bisect: In geometrical constructions, bisect means dividing into

two equal parts. We can bisect a line, an angle and even shapes.
 Parallel : When two lines are drawn on a plane that do not meet
each other, they are called as parallel lines.
 Perpendicular: When two lines drawn meet each other at a right
angle or 90°, they are called perpendicular lines.
 Tangent: Tangent is defined as a straight line that touches a
curve at a point.
 Inscribed: When a polygon is fully drawn inside a circle, we can
say that the polygon is inscribed in the circle. It can also be said
that the circle is circumscribed about the polygon.
 Circumscribed: When a polygon surrounds another geometrical
figure (say, a circle) such that all the vertices of the inner figure
 touch the sides of the outer polygon, then the polygon is said to
be circumscribed about the circle.

The following figures describe each of the geometric terms discussed

above.

Construction of a Triangle

Now let us learn how to construct a triangle when its three sides are given.
Let us construct a triangle ABC where AB = 5 units, BC = 7 units and AC
= 4 units. We will need a ruler, a compass and a pencil. The following steps
show the way to construct a triangle.
 Step 1: Draw the longest given line segment measuring 7 units
with the help of a ruler and mark it as BC.
  Step 2: Use a ruler and measure 5 units with the compass and
draw an arc above the line with B as the center.
 Step 3: Then measure 4 units with the compass and draw an arc
above the line with C as the center such that it intersects the arc
drawn in step 2 and mark the intersecting point as 'A'.
 Step 4: Join the points AB and AC.

The following figure shows the construction of a triangle with the given
measurements.

What Is Geometric Construction?

Geometric construction is the process of drawing a geometrical figure using
two geometrical instruments, a compass, and a ruler.

We use a compass to draw arcs and circles and mark off equal lengths.

We use a ruler to draw line segments and measure their lengths.

How To Construct Perpendicular
Bisector?
To carry out this construction, we will use the fact that any point on the
perpendicular bisector of a line segment is equidistant from the two end-
points of the line segment.

Suppose we have a line segment ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ABAB¯.

The steps in the construction are outlined below.

Step 1: Taking A and B as centers, and a radius of more than half

of ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ABAB¯, draw arcs on both sides of ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ABAB¯, to intersect each
other, as shown below.
The reason you require the radius of your arcs to be more than half
of ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ABAB¯ is that if the radius is less than half of ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ABAB¯, the arcs
will not intersect (try it!).
Step 2: Let the two points of the intersection so obtained be P and Q. Draw
a line through P and Q. This is the required perpendicular bisector.
Here, POQ is the perpendicular bisector of ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ABAB¯.
You can visualize these steps in the simulation below by clicking the 'GO'
button.

Steps For Constructing Parallel Lines

Isn't it interesting to realize the fact that these orange and green lines will
go on forever but will never meet?
These two lines are parallel to each other.

We will learn how to construct parallel lines using a ruler and a compass.
Let ←→ABAB↔ be a line and P be a point outside the line ←→ABAB↔.
Step 1: Draw a transversal through the point P intersecting the
line ←→ABAB↔, say at X.

Step 2: Taking X as a center and any radius, draw an arc intersecting the
segment ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯PXPX¯ at M and ←→ABAB↔ at point N.
Step 3: Now, taking P as a center and the same radius, draw an arc EF
intersecting the segment ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯PXPX¯ at Q.

Step 4: Taking Q as a center and same radius, draw an arc intersecting the
arc EF at R.
Step 5: Join R and P and extend it on both sides to draw the
line ←→CDCD↔.

Here, the line ←→CDCD↔ is parallel to the line ←→ABAB↔.

Experiment with the simulation below to visualize this process by
clicking the 'GO' button.

How To Construct an Angle Bisector?

Suppose we have ∠PQR∠PQR and we want to bisect this angle.
Follow the steps of construction mentioned below:

1. Let Q be the center and with any radius, draw an arc

intersecting the ray −−→QPQP→ and −−→QRQR→, say at
the points E and D respectively.
2. Now, taking D and E as centers and the same radius, draw
arcs intersecting each other say at F.
3. Draw the ray −−→QFQF→.

Here, −−→QPQP→ is the angle bisector of ∠PQR∠PQR.

Use the simulation below to visualize the steps of construction for angle
bisector by clicking the 'GO' button.
Important Notes
1. Parallel lines never intersect with each other or meet at any
point.

2. Perpendicular bisector passes through the midpoint of the

given segment.
3. If a ray divides an angle into two equal angles, then it is an
angle bisector.

Solved Examples
Example 1

The green and blue lines are parallel, and M and N are points on the green
and blue lines respectively.

If the shortest distance from M to the blue line is 6 units.

What will be the shortest distance from N to the green line?
Solution
The given lines are parallel, so they are equidistant throughout.

This means that the perpendicular distance from M to the blue line is equal
to the perpendicular distance from N to the green line. Hence, this distance
is equal to 6 units.

In fact, the shortest distance between the two lines is the perpendicular
distance between them.
So, the shortest distance from N to the green
line is 6 units.
Example 2

Ryan is flying a kite.

The kite has two angles bisected as shown below.
Can you find the measures of the angles ∠EKI∠EKI and ∠ITE∠ITE?
Solution
The angles ∠EKI∠EKI and ∠ITE∠ITE are bisected by the
line ←→KTKT↔.
←→KTKT↔ divides the angles ∠EKI∠EKI and ∠ITE∠ITE in two equal
angles respectively.
Thus,

∠EKI=2×45∘=90∘∠EKI=2×45∘=90∘ and
∠ITE=2×27∘=54∘∠ITE=2×27∘=54∘
∴∴ ∠EKI=90∘∠EKI=90∘ and ∠ITE
=54∘∠ITE=54∘.
Example 3

Ms. Amy asked Mia to justify the construction of a perpendicular bisector of

a line segment.

Can you help her justify this?

Solution
In ΔPAQΔPAQ and ΔPBQΔPBQ:
1. PA = PB (arcs of equal radius)

2. QA = QB (again, arcs of equal radius)

3. PQ = PQ (common)
By the SSS criterion, the two triangles are congruent, which means
that ∠APO∠APO = ∠BPO∠BPO.
In ΔAPOΔAPO with ΔBPOΔBPO:
1. PA = PB (arcs of equal radius)

2. ∠APO∠APO = ∠BPO∠BPO (just shown)

3. PO = PO (common)

By the SAS criterion, the two triangles are congruent, which means that AO
= BO, and also:

∠AOP∠AOP = ∠BOP∠BOP = 121800=900121800=900

∴∴, POQ is the perpendicular bisector of AB.
Example 4

∠PQR∠PQR is divided into different angles.

Can you determine the angle bisector of ∠PQR∠PQR?

Solution
Notice that,

∠PQT=∠PQV+∠VQT=50∘+10∘=60∘∠PQT=∠PQV+∠VQT=50∘+1
0∘=60∘
∠TQR=∠TQS+∠SQR=35∘+25∘=60∘∠TQR=∠TQS+∠SQR=35∘+2
5∘=60∘
This means that ∠PQT=∠TQR∠PQT=∠TQR.
So, ray QT is the angle bisector
of ∠PQR∠PQR.
Be careful while doing geometric constructions.

Here are a few tips and tricks for you to follow while doing construction.

Tips and Tricks

1. Always draw thin lines and mark the points lightly.

2. Keep your instruments like a compass, ruler, and divider

with sharp tips and sharp edges.

3. Always keep 2 pencils in your geometry box, one for

insertion in the compass and the other to draw lines and
mark points.

Interactive Questions
Here are a few activities for you to practice.

Select/type your answer and click the "Check Answer" button to see
the result.

Q. 1

In the figure below, BD bisects ∠ABC∠ABC.

Drag the answers from the answer box to the correct blank box in the right column.
Put responses in the correct response input area to answer the question. Select a
response, navigate to the desired input area and insert the response. Responses can
be selected and inserted using the space bar, enter key, left mouse button or
touchpad. Responses can also be moved by dragging with a mouse.
DX equals
∠XBD∠XBD equals
BD
∠DBC∠DBC
DY
∠XBC∠XBC
Check Answer
Q. 2

State true or false.

True False

A perpendicular bisector intersects a given segment at

 True False

a 90∘90∘ angle.

An angle bisector may not divide an angle in two equal angles.

Two or more lines which are parallel to the same line will be parallel
to each other.

Check Answer
Q. 3

You are in a park which has two fixed poles A and B. You start walking such that you
are always at the same distance from the two poles:

What will the shape of your path be?

Responses
 Straight line
Straight line
 Circle
Circle
 Curve which is not a circle
Curve which is not a circle
Check Answer
Q. 4

Fill in the blank.

The angle between two parallel lines is always 0 degrees30 degrees60 degrees90

degrees.

Construction of Triangles
A triangle is a two-dimensional closed shape with three sides. In order to
construct a triangle, we should know the measure of the length of its sides
and angles. But how do we construct them? Here comes in the concept of
'Geometry'. Geometry is a branch of math that deals with constructing
figures like triangles, squares, circles, and many other shapes. These
figures can be constructed with the help of geometrical instruments like
ruler, protractor, or compass. Now let us read more about the construction
of triangles.
How are Triangles Constructed?

Triangles can be constructed using a ruler and a compass and even with the
help of a protractor. Triangles can be classified based on their sides and
angles. We will discuss the steps, properties, and criteria to construct
various triangles in the following sections.
Keeping the following properties of triangles in mind, triangles can be easily
constructed.
 A triangle has three sides, three vertices, and three angles.
 The sum of interior angles of a triangle is equal to 180°. This
property is called the angle sum property of a triangle.
 All the sides of a triangle may or may not be equal.
 All the angles of a triangle may or may not be equal.
 A triangle with vertices A, B, C is denoted as triangle ABC.
Types of Construction of Triangles
Triangles can be classified based on angles and sides. Similarly, the
construction of triangles can also be classified as:
 Construction of Triangles Based on Sides
 Construction of Triangles Based on Angles

Let us read about the two types of construction of triangles in detail.

Construction of Triangles Based on Sides

Based on the properties of a triangle, all the sides of a triangle may or may
not be equal, therefore, we need to construct three different types of
triangles.
 An equilateral triangle in which all its sides are equal.
 An isosceles triangle in which two sides are equal.
 A scalene triangle in which there are three unequal sides.

Let us learn how to construct these three types of triangles.

Construction of Equilateral Triangle

To construct an equilateral triangle we need to remember that side 1 = side

2 = side 3. Let us construct an equilateral triangle.
Example: Draw an equilateral triangle XYZ with the sides of the
triangle equal to 6 units each.
Solution: An equilateral triangle has all its sides of equal length. Therefore,
keeping this in mind we will use the following steps for the construction:
 Step 1: Draw a line segment YZ = 6 units.
 Step 2: Use a ruler and measure 6 units with the compass. With Y
as the center draw an arc above the line YZ.
 Step 3: With Z as the center and without changing the measure of
length taken in the compass draw another arc to intersect the
previous arc.
 Step 4: Join the points XY and XZ to get an equilateral triangle
XYZ.
Construction of Isosceles Triangle

To construct an isosceles triangle, we need to remember that side 1 = side

2, but side 3 is different. Let us construct an isosceles triangle.
Example: Draw an isosceles triangle ABC with two sides of the
triangle equal to 6 units and one side equal to 5 units.
Solution:
An isosceles triangle has two equal sides and a different side. Therefore,
keeping this in mind we will use the following steps for the construction:
 Step 1: Using a ruler and a pencil draw a line segment BC of
length = 5 units.
 Step 2: Place your compass needle at B and draw an arc with a
measure of 6 units above the line BC.
 Step 3: Now, place the needle of the compass at C and draw an
arc with the same measure of 6 units such that the two arcs
should intersect at point A.
 Step 4: Join the points AB and AC to form an isosceles triangle
ABC.
Construction of Scalene Triangle

To construct a scalene triangle the condition we need to remember that

side 1 ≠ side 2 ≠ side 3. Let us construct a scalene triangle.
Example: Draw a scalene triangle ABC with three sides of the triangle
equal to 7 units, 5 units, and 6 units.
Solution:
In a scalene triangle, all the sides are of different lengths. Therefore,
keeping this in mind we will use the following steps for the construction:
 Step 1: Draw a line segment BC which measures 7 units.
 Step 2: With point B as the center and taking a measure of 5
units in the compass draw an arc above the line BC.
 Step 3: With point C as the center and taking a measure of 6
units in the compass draw an arc to intersect the arc drawn in
step 2.
 Step 4: Now join the points AB and AC to get a scalene triangle
ABC.
Construction of Triangles Based on Angles

The angle sum property of a triangle states that the sum of interior angles
of a triangle is equal to 180°. All the angles of a triangle may or may not be
equal. With this, we can construct three different types of triangles.
 An acute triangle
 A right-angled triangle
 An obtuse angle

Let us learn how to construct triangles based on angles.

Construction of an Acute Triangle

To construct an acute triangle, we should remember that all its angles

are acute angles. Let us construct an acute-angled triangle.
Example: Construct a triangle XYZ with the base as 8 units. ∠X = 45°
and ∠Y = 65°
Solution: To construct an acute-angled triangle with the given dimensions
we will use the following steps for the construction:
 Step 1: Use a ruler and draw a horizontal line of length 8 units.
Name the endpoints of this line as XY.
  Step 2: Place the center of the protractor on X and look for 45° in
the scale of the protractor and mark it as point Z.
 Step 3: Now place the center of the protractor on Y and look for
65° in the protractor.
 Step 4: Join XZ and YZ.
 Step 5: We have an acute-angled triangle with ∠X = 45°, ∠Y =
65° and ∠Z = 70°

Construction of a Right Angled Triangle

To construct a right-angled triangle, it should be remembered that the

triangle must have one right angle. Let us construct a right-angled triangle.
Example: Construct a right-angled triangle PQR with one of its sides
as 4 units.
Solution: To construct a right-angled triangle with the given dimensions we
will use the following steps for the construction:
 Step 1: Draw a horizontal line QR of length 4 units.
  Step 2: Place the center of a protractor on Q and look for 90°.
Mark the point as 'P'.
 Step 3: Join PQ and PR.
 Step 4: ∠PQR is 90° and triangle PQR is a right angled triangle.

Click on the link to know more about Right Angled Triangle Constructions (RHS)
Construction of an Obtuse Triangle

To construct an obtuse triangle we should remember that the triangle must

have one obtuse angle. Let us construct an obtuse angle triangle.
Example: Construct a triangle XYZ with XY = 7 units, ∠X = 40°,∠Y =
105°.
Solution: To construct an obtuse triangle with the given dimensions we will
use the following steps for the construction:
 Step 1: Draw a line segment with XY = 7units.
 Step 2: With X as the center, use a protractor to measure ∠X =
40° and draw a ray 'XP'.
  Step 3: With Y as the center, use a protractor to measure ∠Y =
105° and draw a ray 'YQ' such that it intersects with 'XP'. Mark
the point of intersection as 'Z'.
 Step 4: Join the points ZX and ZY to make the triangle complete
and form an obtuse triangle XYZ.

It should be noted that the third angle, which is ∠Z can be found using the
angle sum property of triangles. So, ∠Z = 180 - (40 + 105) = 35°.
Construction of Triangles when Three Sides
are Given
The construction of a triangle can be easily done with the help of a ruler
and a compass when three sides are given, Let us understand the process
with the help of an example.
Example: Construct a triangle PQR with the given sides: PQ = 5 units,
QR = 6 units, and PR = 3.5 units
Solution: To construct a triangle with the above dimensions, we will use
the following steps:
 Step 1: Draw a line segment QR measuring 6 units.
 Step 2: With Q as the center, take a measure of 5 units in the
compass and draw an arc.
 Step 3: With R as the center, take a measure of 3.5 units in the
compass and draw an arc intersecting the previous arc.
 Step 4: Connect the lines PQ and PR to form a triangle PQR.

Note: A triangle that is drawn with the lengths of all the three sides known
is an SSS triangle.

Constructing An Angle of 60 Degrees

In geometry, construction is the process of drawing a figure, shape, or
many different types of angles. We draw such shapes using geometrical
instruments like a compass, protractor, a ruler. While constructing angles
we use a compass to draw arcs and a ruler to draw line segments and
measure their lengths. We can draw an angle of 60 degrees using either of
the two geometrical tools, a protractor or a compass. In this mini-lesson, we
will learn how to construct an angle of 60 degrees using a protractor and a
compass in detail.
Constructing 60-Degree Angle Using a
Protractor

Construction of angles with the help of a protractor is a very easy method.

A protractor is a geometrical tool that can be used to measure as well as
draw angles. Let us explore the steps which tell us about constructing an
angle of 60-degrees with the help of a protractor.
Read the given steps and try it urself.
 Step 1: With the help of a ruler and pencil draw a line segment AB.
 Step 2: Now mark the center of the line segment as O.
 Step 3: Take a protractor and place the protractor at point O.
 Step 4: Now look for 60 degrees angle in the protractor (at the
outer circle of the protractor), mark a dot, and name it C.
 Step 5: Now join the points O and C.
 Step 6: After joining the lines we will have ∠AOC = 60°.

Observe the given image of constructing an angle of 60 degrees using a

protractor.
Note- 60 degrees angle is an acute angle, i.e., less than 90 degrees.
Constructing 60-Degree Angle Using a
Compass

Construction of angles with the help of a compass is slightly difficult as

compared to construction with the help of a protractor. A compass is a
geometrical tool used to draw arcs and circles. Let us explore the steps
which tell us about constructing an angle of 60-degrees with the help of a
compass.
Suppose that you have a line L and some point A on L just like shown in
the figure.
Now let us try to you construct a ray (or line) through A which is inclined at
60° to L.
 Step 1: Taking A as a center, place the needle of a compass on A
and draw an arc of any radius length that intersects L at B as
shown in the figure below.
 Step 2: Now, taking B as center and AB as radius, draw another
arc that intersects the first arc at C:
 Step 3: Draw a ray (or line) through A and C. This will be inclined
at 60° to L:
Here, AB = AC, since these are radii of the same circular arc. Also, BC =
BA, since these too are radii of the same (second) circular arc. Thus, AB =
BC = AC. This means that triangle ABC is equilateral, and so, angle BAC =
60°.
Note that by bisecting an angle of 60°, we can construct an angle of
30°, and further by bisecting an angle of 30° we can construct an
angle of 15°.

Example 1: Construct a 60-degree angle with the help of a compass and bisect
it.

Solution: To Construct a 60-degree angle with the help of a compass we need to

follow the given below steps.

 Step 1: Draw a line segment PQ of any measurement.

 Step 2: With the help of compass construct ∠GPQ = 60°. From
point P, draw an arc on PQ. Name it E. Now, taking E as center
 and PE as radius, draw another arc that intersects the first arc at
F. Draw a ray (or line) through P and F which is inclined at 60°.
 Step 3: Bisect ∠GPQ with the help of the compass, take any
radius which meets line PQ and PG at points E and F.
 Step 4: Now, with the compass take a radius more than EF and
draw one arc each from point E and F respectively.
 Step 5: The intersection of both arcs at point L is shown in the
image. Proceed PL toward J.
 Step 6: The obtained angle ∠JPQ is the bisector of ∠GPQ.

∠GPQ = 60° and ∠JPQ = 30°.

Example 2: How many 60-degree angles are there in a straight angle?

Solution: We know that,

Measurement of a complete angle = 360°.
Measurement of a straight angle = 180°.
Now to find the number of 60-degree angles in a straight angle we will divide 180
degrees by 60 degrees.
180 ÷ 60 = 3.
Therefore, there are a total of three 60-degree angles in a straight angle.

Constructing 90 Degrees Angle

The construction of an angle of 90 degrees can be done in two ways -
by using a compass and by using a protractor. Making a rough sketch is
different from that of construction in geometry. In geometry, by
construction, we mean drawing shapes, lines, angles with more accurate
measurements. The pieces of equipment that we would need are a ruler,
compass, and a protractor. Construction in geometry always starts with a
point. We then extend to draw a line segment or a line and from there on
construct the required shape or angle. An angle in geometry is the space
between two lines that intersect each other. 90° denotes a right angle in
geometry. Sometimes, there is a need to construct angles without using a
protractor. Let us learn how to construct an angle of 90 degrees in this
article.
Constructing 90 Degree Angle Using
Compass

In this section, you will learn how to construct a 90 degrees angle with the
help of a compass. The steps to construct an angle of 90 degrees are as
follows.
Step 1: Draw a line segment of any length and label its endpoints as A and
B.

Step 2: Using the compass and with any width as radius and with A as a
center, draw an arc that cuts the line segment AB at a point and label it as
C.
Step 3: With the same radius and with point C as the center, draw an arc
that cuts the previous arc and name it D.
Step 4: With D as a center and with the same radius draw another arc and
name it as E.

Step 5: With the same radius and with D and E as centers, draw two arcs
that cut each other at a point and label it as F.
Step 6: Now join the points F and A. Now we can observe that ∠FAB =
90°.

Construction of 90 Degree Angle With

Protractor

Constructing an angle of 90° can also be done using a protractor. A

protractor is a geometric instrument that has markings of angles on it. Let
us look into the steps to do the same.
Step 1: Draw a line segment XY of any measurement.

Step 2: Place the midpoint or center of the protractor on point X.

Step 3: Starting from 0° in the protractor, move in the anti-clockwise
direction and mark a point in the place of 90° as Z.
Step 4: Join the points Z and X. Now, ∠ZXY measures 90°.
 Example 1: Construct a perpendicular bisector for a line segment
of length AB = 8 units and check if the angle formed by the
perpendicular bisector with the line segment is 90° or not.

Solution:

Step 1: Draw a line segment with length AB = 8 units.

Step 2: With A as the center, and more than half the length of AB
as radius, draw an arc on both the sides of the line segment AB.
Repeat the same process with B as center and the same radius.
Mark the points of intersection as P and Q.

Step 3: Join the points P and Q. PQ is the perpendicular bisector

of AB. Also, we can observe that the perpendicular bisector
makes an angle of 90° with the line segment AB.
 

Q.1. An angle of 90° can be constructed using a ______.

Responses
 protractor and a ruler
protractor and a ruler
 compass and a ruler
compass and a ruler
 Both a) and b)

Q.2. The angle formed by a line segment with its perpendicular line is always ______.
Responses
 180°
180° - no response given
  270°
270° - no response given
 90°

Q.3. The point at which one arc cuts another arc is called ________.
Responses
 Bisector
Bisector - no response given
 Point of intersection
Point of intersection - correct
 Midpoint

Constructing Perpendicular Bisectors

Suppose that you are given a line segment AB. How can you construct the
perpendicular bisector of this segment? Once again, you can use only a straight-
edge and a compass. To carry out this construction, we will use the fact that any
point on the perpendicular bisector of a line segment is equidistant from the two
end-points of the line segment.
The steps in the construction are outlined below.

Step 1: Taking A and B as centers, and a radius more than half of AB, draw arcs
on both sides of AB, to intersect each other, as shown below.
The reason you require the radius of your arcs to be more than ½ AB is that if the
radius is less than ½ AB, the arcs will not intersect (try it!).

Step 2: Let the two points of intersection so obtained be P and Q. Draw a line
through P and Q. This is the required perpendicular bisector.

Let us justify this construction.

Proof: Compare ΔPAQΔPAQ and ΔPBQΔPBQ:

1. PA = PB (arcs of equal radii)

2. QA = QB (again, arcs of equal radii)

3. PQ = PQ (common)

By the SSS criterion, the two triangles are congruent, which means
that ∠APO∠APO = ∠BPO∠BPO. Now,
compare ΔAPOΔAPO with ΔBPOΔBPO:
1. PA = PB (arcs of equal radii)

2. ∠APO∠APO = ∠BPO∠BPO (just shown)

3. PO = PO (common)

By the SAS criterion, the two triangles are congruent, which means that AO = BO,
and also:

∠AOP∠AOP = ∠BOP∠BOP = ½ (1800) = 900

Clearly, POQ is the perpendicular bisector of AB.

Constructing Angle Bisectors

Constructing angles bisectors for an angle divides the given angle exactly
into two halves. The term 'bisect' refers to dividing into two equal parts.
Constructing angle bisectors makes a line that gives two congruent angles
for a given angle. For example, when an angle bisector is constructed for
an angle of 70°, it divides the angle into two equal angles of 35° each.
Angle bisectors can be constructed for an acute angle, obtuse angle, or a
right angle too.
Construct an Angle Bisector With a
Compass

An angle bisector is a line that bisects or divides an angle into two equal
halves. To geometrically construct an angle bisector, we would need a
ruler, a pencil, and a compass, and a protractor if the measure of the angle
is given. Any angle can be bisected using an angle bisector. Let us consider
the angle AOB shown below.

Note that the measure of the angle is not mentioned here. So, we do not
need a protractor in constructing the angle bisector. This point is important
to understand. When no angle measurements have been asked for, we
must avoid using a protractor, and use only a ruler and a compass. This
challenge is a fundamental idea behind geometrical constructions.
Follow the sequence of steps mentioned below to construct an angle
bisector.
Step 1: Span any width of radius in a compass and with O as the center,
draw two arcs such that it cut the rays OA and OB at points C and D
respectively.

Note that OC = OD, since these are radii of the same circle.
Step 2: Without changing the distance between the legs of the compass,
draw two arcs with C and D as centers, such that these two arcs intersect
at a point named E (in the image).
Note that CE = DE, since the two arcs were drawn in this step was of the
same radius.
Step 3: Join the ray OE. This is the required angle bisector of angle AOB.

The proof of constructing an angle bisector is given below.

How to Prove an Angle Bisector?
From the above figure, we see that the angle bisector is constructed for the
∠AOB. The constructed angle bisector has created two similar triangles. Let
us see how equal angles are made using the angle bisector with proof.
Compare ΔOCE and ΔODE:
1. OC = OD (radii of the same circular arc)
2. CE = DE (arcs of equal radii)
3. OE = OE (common)
By the SSS criterion, the two triangles are congruent, which means that
∠COE = ∠DOE. Thus, ray OE is the angle bisector of ∠COD or ∠AOB. It
is to be noted that no angle measurements were required for this
construction. If in other cases we know the measurement of the angle on
which angle bisector is to be constructed, then we can simply use a
protractor to construct an angle with half of the measurement of the given
angle.