PRACTICAL GEOMETRY

CONTENTS
 Construction of a pair of parallel lines
using set squares and ruler
 Construction of parallel lined by ruler
& compasses
 Triangle construction (Possibilities)
 Side-Side -Side (SSS) Triangle
construction
 Side-Angle-Side (SAS) Triangle
construction
 Angle-Side-Angle (ASA) Triangle
construction
 Construction of a right angled triangle
when its hypotenuse and one side are
given

Construct a line parallel to a given line l passing

through a given point P not on the line :
(i) Draw a line l.
(ii) Place a set square with the arm of its right
angle.
(iii) Holding the set square fixed, place a ruler along
the other arm of the right angle.
(iv) Holding the ruler fixed, slide the set square
along the edge of the ruler until the (v) Keeping the set square fixed at same position,
perpendicular edge of the set square passes draw a line PQ through the point P along the
through the given point P as shown in figure edge of set square.
The line PQ is the required line through the point P
and parallel to the line l.
 Construction of a parallel line to a given line
m and at a given distance (d) from it :
(i) Draw a line m and mark a point P on line Now we will show how to construct a line parallel
m. to a given line passing through a given point not
(ii) Using a set square, construct a line l lying on it.
perpendicular to m at P. Given : A line l and a point A not lying on it.
(iii) With a ruler or compasses mark a point Q To Const. : A line parallel to l through A.
on l such that the segment PQ = d cm.
S.No. Steps of Construction
(iv) Using set square construct a line n
perpendicular to l at Q. Construction
Then, n is the required line parallel to m at a 1. Draw a line
distance of d cm from it. segment l and
mark a point A not
lying on it.
2. Take any point B
on l and join B
to A.

3. With B as centre
and convenient
radius draw an arc
cutting l at C and
AB to D

4. Now with A as
centre and the same
radius as in step 3
draw an arc EF
cutting AB at G

5. Place the metal

point of the
compasses at C
and adjust the
opening so that the
pencil point is at D.
6. With the same
opening as in step
5 and with G as
centre draw
another arc cutting
the arc EF at H.
7. Now join AH and
draw a line m.
 Then, m is the required line parallel to l and passing  The sum of two sides of a triangle is
through the given point A. always greater than the third side.
Note :  The sum of three angles of a triangle
should be equal to 180°.
In the above figure, l and m are two parallel lines
and AB is a transversal.
ABC and FAB are alternate interior angles
But ABC = FAB [By construction] When length of the three sides of a triangle are
given, we follow the following steps for
Hence, l || m [ alternate interior angles are equal]
constructing a triangle :
 Alternative Method
S.No. Steps of Construction S.No. Steps of Construction

Construction Construction

1. Draw a line l. 1. Draw a line

segment (with
2. Mark a point A the help of
which is not ruler), of a
lying on l. given length
3. Draw a line n, equal to one
through A which side of a
meets the line l triangle. Let us
at point B name it as AB.
2. From one end
point A, draw
4. At point A, draw an arc whose
an angle such distance from
that it is equal to A is equal to
ABC. second side.

3. From second
5. Draw line m end point B,
which is parallel draw another
to line l. arc whose
distance from
B is equal to
third side and
which cuts the
first arc at a
point C.
There are following possibilities of constructing a 4. Join AC and
triangle : BC.
(1) When its three sides are given. (Also known
as SSS triangle construction).
(2) When its two sides and the included angle is
given. (Also known as SAS triangle
construction).
The triangle so obtained is the required triangle.
(3) When its two angles and the included side is
given. (Also known as ASA triangle It is important to note that the sum of two sides of a
construction). triangle is always greater than the third side.
 Thus we can say that we cannot construct a triangle
when the sum of any two sides is less than or equal
to the third side.

EXAMPLES 
Ex.1 Construct a triangle ABC such that side
AB = 5 cm, BC = 6 cm and AC = 7 cm.
Sol.

By plotting the rough sketch, we find that it is

not possible to construct this triangle. Because
the sum of any two sides of a triangle is always
greater than third side but in the given triangle,
the sum of the lengths of the two sides AB
(2 cm) and BC (3 cm) is less than the length of
the third side AC (6 cm).
1. Draw a line segment AB of length 5 cm.
AB + BC < AC
2. With centre A and radius 7 cm draw an arc
Therefore, the three given sides of the triangle
of the circle.
do not satisfy the triangle inequality. Hence, it
3. With centre B and radius 6 cm draw is not possible to construct the given triangle.
another arc intersecting first arc at C.
4. Join AC and BC as shown in figure.
ABC is the required triangle. When the length of two sides and the measure of
Ex.2 Construct a triangle ABC in which AB = 4.5 cm, included angle is given, we follow the following
AC = 6 cm, BC = 5 cm. steps for constructing a triangle.
Sol. S.No. Steps of Construction
Construction
1. Draw a line
segment AB of
the triangle with
help of ruler.
2. Draw OBA of
measure equal to
the given B.
1. Draw a line segment AB of length
4.5 cm.
2. With centre A and radius 6 cm draw an arc 3. From any point on
of the circle. , cut off line
3. With centre B and radius 5 cm draw segment equal to
another arc intersecting the first arc at C. second side. Mark
the cut off point
4. Joint AC and BC as shown in figure. as C.
ABC is the required triangle. 4. Join AC. The
Ex.3 Construct a triangle ABC where AB = 2 cm, triangle so
BC = 3 cm and AC = 6 cm. obtained is the
required triangle.
Sol. Before constructing the required triangle, let us
first draw a rough sketch of the triangle.
EXAMPLES 
Ex.4 Construct ABC, where AB = 5 cm, BC = 3 cm 3. Draw PBA of
and ABC = 70°. measure equal to
B. Let the ray
and Ray
intersect at
Sol. C. Then ABC is
the required
triangle.

EXAMPLES 
1. Draw AB = 5 cm and ABC = 70°.
Ex.6 Draw a triangle ABC in which BC = 6 cm,
2. Cut off BC = 3 cm from . B = 35°, C = 100°.
3. Join AC.
ABC is the required triangle.
Ex.5 Construct a DEF in which DE = 5 cm,
Sol.
DF = 4 cm, and D = 50°.

Sol. 1. Draw BC = 6 cm as shown in figure.

2. Draw CBQ = 35°
3. Draw BCP = 100°.
1. Draw DE = 5 cm and EDF = 50°. 4. The two rays and intersect at A.
2. Cut off DF = 4 cm from . Then, ABC is the required triangle.
3. Join EF. It is important to note that
DEF is the required triangle. B + C = 35° + 100° = 135°
Which is less than 180°. In other words, the
sum of two angles of a triangle is always less
than 180°.
When the measure of two angles and length of Ex.7 Construct a ABC in which A = 100°,
included side is given, we follow the following B = 20° and CA = 5.4 cm.
steps for constructing a triangle :
S.No. Steps of Construction
Construction
1. Draw the given
line segment say Sol.
AB
2. Draw OAB of
measure equal to
A.
1. Draw AC = 5.4 cm as shown in figure
2. Draw CAQ = 100°.
3. We know the sum of three angles in a
triangle = 180°
 So, C = 180° – (A + B) Ex.8 Construct a right triangle when its hypotenuse
is of length 4.2 cm and one of its side is of
= 180° – (100 + 20)
length 3.8 cm.
= 180° – 120°
= 60°
4. Draw ACO = 60°.
5. The two rays AQ and CO intersect at B. Sol.
Then ABC is the require triangle.
Note : We cannot construct a triangle if the
sum of two angles is equal to 180º or greater
than 180º. 1. Draw a line segment of length 3.8 cm, as
shown in figure.
2. Draw BAO of measure 90°.
3. With centre B and radius equal to 4.2 cm,
We follow the following steps for RHS triangle draw an arc intersecting ray at C.
construction : 4. Join BC.
S.No. Steps of Construction Thus, BAC is the required triangle.
Construction Ex.9 Construct a right triangle PQR in which
1. Draw a line Q = 90°, PR = 6 cm and QR = 4 cm.
segment of a
given length.
2. Draw an angle of
90° on one end Sol.
of the segment.

1. Draw a line segment QR = 4 cm.

3. With other end 2. At Q draw RQX = 90°.

as centre and 3. With R as the centre and radius PR = 6 cm
radius equal to (i.e., hypotenuse) draw an arc to intersect
the hypotenuse ray at P.
draw an arc
intersecting the 4. Join PR as in figure,
perpendicular Thus, PQR is the required triangle.
line at C.
Ex.10 Construct an isosceles right triangle ABC in
4. Join the which C = 90° and AC = BC = 5 cm.
intersecting
point with the
other end of the
line segment.
The triangle so Sol.
obtained is the
required triangle.

EXAMPLES  1. Draw a line segment BC of length = 5 cm.

2. Draw C = 90°.
 3. With centre C and radius equal to 5 cm,
draw an arc intersecting ray at A.
4. Join BA.
Thus, ABC is the required triangle.
Ex.11 Draw a right triangle whose hypotenuse is of
length 5 cm and one side of length 3 cm.

Sol.

1. Draw a line segment AB = 3 cm as in

figure.
2. Draw A = 90°.
3. With centre B and radius equal to 5 cm
(hypotenuse) draw an arc intersecting ray
at C.
4. Join BC.
Thus, BAC is the required triangle.

EXERCISE
 Which of the following measures of sides and Q.13 Construct a triangle ABC, where B = 100°,
angles form a triangle. If not, then why ? C = 40° and BC = 5 cm (using ruler and
Construct the possible triangles. (Q. No. 1 to 8) protractor).

Q.1 A = 60°, B = 60° and AC = 5.4 cm. Q.14 Construct a triangle PQR in which P = 45°,
Q = 30° and PQ = 5.7 cm (using a ruler and a
Q.2 P = 70°, Q = 115° and PQ = 4.7 cm. pair of compasses).

Q.3 X = 60°, Y = 70°, XY = 5.8 cm. Q.15 Draw a ABC, where, A = 75°, B = 50°
and AB = 5.7 cm (using ruler and protractor).
Q.4 AB = 4 cm, BC = 4.8 cm and AC = 10 cm.

Q.16 The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 13 cm

Q.5 YZ = 4.9 cm, XZ = 5.4 cm and XY = 6.2 cm.
long. If one of the remaining two sides is of

Q.6 AB = 4 cm, BC = 5 cm, AC = 11 cm. length 5 cm, measure the length of another
side.
Q.7 B = 80°, C = 105° and BC = 6 cm.
Q.17 Construct an isosceles right triangle PQR,
Q.8 BC = 5 cm, B = 70° and AC = 5.5 cm. where Q = 90°, PQ = QR = 4.8 cm.

Q.9 Draw a triangle PQR, where QR = 7 cm, Q.18 Draw a right PQR, where Q = 90°,
PR = 5 cm and R = 100° (using ruler and QR = 3 cm and PR = 5 cm.
protractor).
Q.19 Construct a right triangle ABC, where
Q.10 Draw a triangle XYZ, where XY = 4 cm, B = 90°, AB = 6 cm and BC = 5.4 cm.
YZ = 4 cm and X = 60° (using ruler and Measure the length of AC.
compasses). What type of triangle is this ?

Q.11 Draw a triangle ABC in which A = 50°,

B = 40° and AB = 5 cm (using ruler and
protractor).

Q.12 Draw a triangle PQR in which P = 60°,

Q = 30° and PQ = 6 cm (using ruler and
compasses).