216

MATHEMATICS

CONSTRUCTION
S
11
1. Introduction
In Class IX, you have done certain constructions using a straight edge (ruler) and a
compass, e.g., bisecting an angle, drawing the perpendicular bisector of a line
segment, some constructions of triangles etc. and also gave their justifications. In
this chapter, we shall study some more constructions by using the knowledge of
the earlier constructions. You would also be expected to give the mathematical
reasoning behind why such constructions work.

2. Division of a Line Segment

Suppose a line segment is given and you have to divide it in a given ratio, say 3 : 2.
You may do it by measuring the length and then marking a point on it that divides
it in the given ratio. But suppose you do not have any way of measuring it
precisely, how would you find the point? We give below two ways for finding such
a point.
Construction 11.1 : To divide a line segment in a given ratio.
Given a line segment AB, we want to divide it in the ratio m : n, where both m
and
n are positive integers. To help you to understand it, we shall take m = 3 and n = 2.
Steps of Construction :
2. Locate 5 (= m + n) points A1, A , A , A and
1. Draw any ray AX, making an 2
acute angle with AB.
3
4
A5 on AX so that AA 1 = A1A2 = A2A 3 = A3A4
4. Through the point A 3 (m = 3), draw a line
= A4A5.to A B (by making
parallel an angle equal to
5
3. Join
 AA BAB). at A3 intersecting AB at the point
5 5
(see Fig. 11.1). Then, AC : CB = 3 : 2.
C Fig. 11.1

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 CONSTRUCTIONS 217

Let us see how this method gives us the required

division. Since A3C is parallel to A5B, therefore,

AA3 AC (By the Basic Proportionality Theorem)

=
A3 A5 CB
AA3 3
AC
3 .
By construction,   Therefore, 
A3 A5 2
CB
2
This shows that C divides AB in the ratio 3 : 2.
Fig. 11.2
Alternative Method
2. Draw a ray BY parallel to AX by making  ABY equal to  BAX.
3. Locate
Steps the points A 1, :A 2, A 3 (m = 3) on AX and B 1, B 2 (n = 2) on BY such that
of Construction
AA
1. Draw = A
1 any1Aray
2 = AX
A2A3 = BB1 = B1B2.
making
4.Join an. acute
A3B angle
2 Let it intersect AB at a point C (see Fig. 11.2).
with AB.
Then AC : CB = 3 : 2.
Why does this method work? Let us see.
Here  AA3C is similar to  BB C. (Why ?)
2
Then AA3 AC .
BB2  BC
AA 3 3, AC 3
Since by construction, BB 2  2 therefore, BC 2
 In fact, the methods given above work for dividing the line segment in any
ratio.
We now use the idea of the construction above for constructing a triangle
similar to a given triangle whose sides are in a given ratio with the corresponding
sides of the given triangle.
Construction 11.2 : To construct a triangle similar to a given triangle as per
given scale factor.
This construction involves two different situations. In one, the triangle to be
constructed is smaller and in the other it is larger than the given triangle. Here, the
scale factor means the ratio of the sides of the triangle to be constructed with the
corresponding sides of the given triangle (see also Chapter 6). Let us take the
following examples for understanding the constructions involved. The same
methods would apply for the general case also.

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218 MATHEMATICS

Example 1 : Construct a triangle similar to a given triangle ABC with its sides
equal
3 3
to of the corresponding sides of the triangle ABC (i.e., of scale factor ).
4 4

Solution : Given a triangle ABC, we are required to construct another triangle

sides
whoseare of the corresponding sides of the triangle
4
ABC. 3
Steps of Construction :
1. Draw any ray BX making an acute
angle with BC on the side opposite to
the vertex A.
2. Locate 4 (the greater of 3 and 4 in 3
4
)
points B1, B 2, B 3 and B 4 on BX so that
BB1 = B1B2 = B2B3 = B3B4.
3. Join B4C and draw a line through B3 (the
3rd point, 3 being smaller of 3 and 4
3
in
) parallel to B4C to intersect BC at
4 C.
4. Draw a line through C parallel
to the line CA to intersect BA at A
(see Fig. 11.3). Fig. 11.3
Then,  ABC is the required triangle.
Let us now see how this construction gives the required triangle.
BC 3
 
By Construction 11.1,
CC 1

Therefore, BC BC + CC CC 1 ,4i.e., BC =

BC   1BC
  1  .
3BC 3 3 BC 4
Also CA is parallel to CA. Therefore,  ABC ~  ABC. (Why ?)

So, A B A C BC

  

Example
3 2AB
: ConstructAC
a triangle similar to a given triangle ABC with its sides

5
equal 5
BC
to of the corresponding sides of the triangle ABC (i.e., of scale factor ).
3 3
4

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CONSTRUCTIONS 219

Solution : Given a triangle ABC, we are required to construct a triangle whose

sides5
are of the corresponding sides of  ABC.
3

Steps of Construction :
1. Draw any ray BX making an acute angle with BC on the side opposite to the
vertex A.
2. Locate 5 points (the greater of 5 and 3 in 5 ) B , B , B , B and B on BX so that
3 1 2 3 4 5

BB1 = B1B2 = B2B3 = B3B4 = B4B5.

5 ) to C and draw a line
3. Join B3(the 3rd point, 3 being smaller of 3 and 5 in
3
through
B parallel to B C, intersecting the extended line segment BC at C.
5 3

4. Draw a line through C parallel to CA

intersecting the extended line segment BA
at A (see Fig. 11.4).
Then ABC is the required triangle.
For justification of the construction, note
that
 ABC ~  AB
ABC. (Why ?)
AC
AB AC
BC
BC
But,
Therefore,
BC BB3 3 
  
Fig. 11.4
, BC
So, BC
BB5 and, therefore, AB  AC  BC 

5
5 , BC
Remark : In Examples 1 and 2,5youAB AC
 could take a ray making an acute angle with
AB or AC and proceed similarly.
BC
3 3
EXERCISE 11.1
In each of the following, give the justification of the construction also:
1. Draw a line segment of length 7.6 cm and divide it in the ratio 5 : 8. Measure the two
parts.

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220 MATHEMATICS

2. Construct a triangle of sides 4 cm, 5 cm and 6 cm and then a triangle similar to it

whose
2
sides are 3 of the corresponding sides of the first triangle.

3. Construct a triangle with sides 5 cm, 6 cm and 7 cm and then another triangle whose
7
sides are 5 of the corresponding sides of the first triangle.

4. Construct an isosceles triangle whose base is 8 cm and altitude 4 cm and then another

1
triangle whose sides are 1 times the corresponding sides of the isosceles triangle.
2
5. Draw a triangle
a triangle whoseABC
sideswith
are sideofBC
the=corresponding
6 cm, AB = 5 sides
cm and
of the triangle ABC.
 ABC = 60°. Then construct 4

3 BC = 7 cm,  B = 45°,  A
6. Draw a triangle ABC with side
= 105°. Then, construct a
4
triangle whose sides are times the corresponding sides of
 ABC.
3
7. Draw a right triangle in which the sides (other than
hypotenuse) are of lengths 4 cm and

3 cm. Then construct another triangle whose sides are 5

times the corresponding sides
11.3 Construction of Tangents to a Circle
3
You have already
of the studied in the previous chapter that if a point lies inside a circle,
given triangle.
there cannot be a tangent to the circle through this point. However, if a point lies on
the circle, then there is only one tangent to the circle at this point and it is
perpendicular to the radius through this point. Therefore, if you want to draw a
tangent at a point of a circle, simply draw the radius through this point and draw a
line perpendicular to this radius through this point and this will be the required
tangent at the point.
You have also seen that if the point lies outside the circle, there will be two
tangents to the circle from this point.
We shall now see how to draw these tangents.

Construction 11.3 : To construct the tangents to a circle from a point outside it.
We are given a circle with centre O and a point P outside it. We have to
construct the two tangents from P to the circle.

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CONSTRUCTIONS 221

Steps of Construction:
1. Join PO and bisect it. Let M be the mid-
point of PO.
2. Taking M as centre and MO as radius,
draw a circle. Let it intersect the given
circle at the points Q and R.
3. Join PQ and PR.
Then PQ and PR are the required two
tangents (see Fig. 11.5).
Now let us see how this construction works.
Join OQ. Then  PQO is an angle in the
semicircle and, therefore, Fig. 11.5

 PQO = 90°
Can we say that PQ  OQ?
Since, OQ is a radius of the given circle, PQ has to be a tangent to the circle.
Similarly, PR is also a tangent to the circle.
Note : If centre of the circle is not given, you may locate its centre first by taking
any two non-parallel chords and then finding the point of intersection of their
perpendicular bisectors. Then you could proceed as above.

EXERCISE 11.2
In each of the following, give also the justification of the construction:
1. Draw a circle of radius 6 cm. From a point 10 cm away from its centre, construct the
pair of tangents to the circle and measure their lengths.
2. Construct a tangent to a circle of radius 4 cm from a point on the concentric circle of
radius 6 cm and measure its length. Also verify the measurement by actual
calculation.
3. Draw a circle of radius 3 cm. Take two points P and Q on one of its extended
diameter each at a distance of 7 cm from its centre. Draw tangents to the circle from
these two points P and Q.
4. Draw a pair of tangents to a circle of radius 5 cm which are inclined to each other at
an angle of 60°.
5. Draw a line segment AB of length 8 cm. Taking A as centre, draw a circle of radius 4
cm and taking B as centre, draw another circle of radius 3 cm. Construct tangents to
each circle from the centre of the other circle.

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6. Let ABC be a right triangle in which AB = 6 cm, BC = 8 cm and  B = 90°. BD is

the perpendicular from B on AC. The circle through B, C, D is drawn. Construct the
tangents from A to this circle.
7. Draw a circle with the help of a bangle. Take a point outside the circle. Construct the
pair of tangents from this point to the circle.

11.4 Summary
In this chapter, you have learnt how to do the following constructions:
8. To divide a line segment in a given ratio.
9. To construct a triangle similar to a given triangle as per a given scale factor
which may be less than 1 or greater than 1.
10.To construct the pair of tangents from an external point to a circle.

A NOTE TO THE READER

Construction of a quadrilateral (or a polygon) similar to a given
quadrilateral (or a polygon) with a given scale factor can also be done
following the similar steps as used in Examples 1 and 2 of Construction
11.2.

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