Circle Constructions – Part 2

Student Guide

Geometric Constructions
Geometric constructions date back thousands of years to when Euclid, a Greek mathematician known as
the “Father of Geometry,” wrote the book Elements. In Elements, Euclid formulated the five postulates
that form the base for Euclidean geometry. To create all the figures and diagrams, Euclid used
construction techniques extensively. A compass and straightedge are used to create constructions. A
compass is used to draw circles or arcs and a straightedge is used to draw straight lines.

As you complete the task, keep these questions in mind:

How do you perform constructions related to circles? What theorems and explanations can be
used to justify these constructions?
In this task, you will apply what you have learned in this lesson to answer these questions.

Directions
Complete each of the following tasks, reading the directions carefully as you go. Be sure to show all work
where indicated, including inserting images of constructions created using the tool. If you are unable to
take and insert screenshots of the construction tool, print this activity sheet and create the constructions
by hand using a compass and straightedge.
In addition to the answers you determine, you will be graded based on the work you show, or your
solution process. So, be sure to show all your work and answer each question as you complete the task.
Type all your work into this document so you can submit it to your teacher for a grade. You will be given
partial credit based on the work you show and the completeness and accuracy of your explanations.
Your teacher will give you further directions about how to submit your work. You may be asked to upload
the document, e-mail it to your teacher, or print it and hand in a hard copy.
Now, let’s get started!

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 Student Guide (continued)

Step 1: Construct a circle through three points not on a line.

a) Points D, E, and F are not in a line. To construct a circle through points D, E, and F, begin by
drawing line segmentsDE and EF . Then construct the perpendicular bisectors of DE and EF ,
and name the point of intersection of the perpendicular bisectors O. How do you know that point
O is the center of the circle that passes through the three points? (10 points)

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 Student Guide (continued)

D
O

We know that point O is the center of the circle that passes through the
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 Student Guide (continued)

three points Because the perpendicular bisectors of chords always passes

through the center.

Step 2: Construct regular polygons inscribed in a circle.

a) While constructing an equilateral triangle or a regular hexagon inscribed in a circle, you may have
noticed that several smaller equilateral triangles are formed, like PQR shown in the figure
below. Explain why PQR is an equilateral triangle. (5 points)

We can see, to start, that line segment PQ is the radius of Circle Q and that
line segment PQ is also the radius of Circle P. By making this observation,
we may prove that Circles P and Q are equal and have the same radius.
The fact that line segments PQ and RQ are both radii of Circle Q allows us
to demonstrate that they are equal. Afterwards, we can also see that line
segment RQ is a radius of Circle Q. We can demonstrate that line segments
PQ and PR are equal since they are both radii of Circle P. In a similar way,
line segment PR is also a radius of Circle P. Lastly, we can demonstrate
that line segments PR and RQ are equal according to the transative
property, which implies that Triangle PQR is an equilateral triangle because
all of its sides—PQ, RQ, and PR—are equal.

b) The completed construction of a regular hexagon is shown below. Explain why ACF is a 30º-
60º-90º triangle. (10 points)

B
A
C

M
F
D
E

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 Student Guide (continued)

According to the Thales' theorem, which stipulates that the angle

BAC is a right angle if A, B, and C are separate points on a circle
where the line BC is a diameter.

ACF is a 30°, 60°, and 90° triangle.

Thales' Theorem is used.

FAC = 90 because the circle's hypotenuse and diameter are both on

the line FC.

Also, Each angle on a regular hexagon is 120° in length. Hence, in

the diagram, EFA is equal to 120°, while at the same time, FC is
bisecting EFA, so CFA will be equal to 60° in FAC.

Total Angles Added

Moreover, the total angle of a triangle is always 180 degrees.

As a result, ACF is a triangle with sides of 30°, 60°, and 90°.

c) If you are given a circle with center C, how do you locate the vertices of a square inscribed in
circle C? (5 points)

Take out your compasses, pencil and straight edge. Draw a line across the
circle passing through the center. From the intersection of the line and the
circle, draw an arc towards the top and bottom of the circle on each side.Draw
a line from the upper intersection of the arcs to the lower intersection of the
arcs.The intersections of the two straight lines with the circle at four points
are the vertices of the inscribed square. 

Step 3: Construct tangent lines to a circle.

a) JL is a diameter of circle K. If tangents to circle K are constructed through points L and J, what
relationship would exist between the two tangents? Explain. (5 points)
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 Student Guide (continued)

The two tangents on circle K would both be parallel to one another

because they both form a 90º angle with the diameter of circle K. That
would also make them both perpendicular to the diameter.

b) The construction of a tangent to a circle given a point outside the circle can be justified using the
second corollary to the inscribed angle theorem. An alternative proof of this construction is shown
below. Complete the proof. (5 points)

Given: Circle C is constructed so that CD = DE = AD; CA is a radius of circle C.

Prove: AE is tangent to circle C.

E
Reasons
C D

Statements

1. Circle C is constructed so that CD = DE = AD; 1. Given

CA is a radius of circle C.

2. CD ≅ DE ≅ AD 2. Definition of congruence

3. ACD is an isosceles triangle; 3. Definition of isosceles

ADE is an isosceles triangle. triangle

4. 4. Sum of interior angles of a

m ∠CAD + m ∠ DCA + m ∠ ADC = 180°; triangle is 180 degrees.
m ∠ DAE + m ∠ AED + m ∠EDA = 180°

Angle CAD is congruent to angle DCA; 5. Isosceles triangle theorem

Angle DAE is congruent to angle AED

5.

6. m ∠CAD = m ∠ DCA ; 6. Definition of congruence

m ∠ DAE = m ∠ AED

7. 7. Substitution property

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 Student Guide (continued)

m ∠CAD + m ∠ CAD + m ∠ ADC = 180°;

m ∠DAE + m∠ DAE + m ∠ EDA = 180°

8. 2 ( m ∠ CAD ) + m ∠ADC = 180°; 8. Addition

2 ( m ∠ DAE ) + m ∠ EDA = 180°
9. m ∠ ADC = 180° – 2 ( m ∠ CAD );
9. Subtraction
m ∠ EDA = 180° – 2 ( m ∠DAE )

10. ∠ ADC and ∠EDA are a linear pair. 10.

11. Angle ADC and Angle EDA are supplementary 11. Linear pair postulate

12. m ∠ ADC + m∠ EDA = 180° 12. Definition of supplementary

angles

13. 1 13. Substitution property

80° – 2 ( m ∠ CAD ) +180° – 2 ( m ∠DAE )=180°

14. 360° – 2 ( m ∠ CAD ) – 2 ( m∠DAE ) =180° 14. Addition

15. – 2 ( m ∠ CAD) – 2 ( m ∠DAE )=−180° 15. Subtraction property

16. m ∠ CAD + m ∠DAE=90° 16. Definition of

complementary angles

17. m ∠ CAD + m ∠DAE = m ∠CAE 17. Angle addition postulate

18. Angle CAE is 90 degrees 18. Substitution property

19. ∠CAE is a right angle. 19. Definition of right angle

20. AE is perpendicular to AC 20. Definition of perpendicular

21. AE is tangent to circle C. 21. Converse of Radius-

Tangent Theorem

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