58488244.USA I Constructions USA

Constructions
Constructions
Curriculum Ready
www.mathletics.com
Constructions are all about creating precise, accurate mathematical diagrams.
Compass Pencil Rule/straight edge
Equip yourself with these tools and you will soon be creating cool constructions like this:
Center of an Incircle:
A circle whose circumference
just touches each side of
the triangle.
is a go!
Give th
Q raw (or construct) an angle below that is exactly 45o at the end point A on the ray AB below using only a
D
compass and a straight edge!
A B
Work through the book for a great way to do this
Constructions I 17 1
Mathletics Passport © 3P Learning SERIES TOPIC
How does it work? Constructions
Construction Terms
To construct geometric shapes or properties, these terms are important and used often.
Term Description Picture
Line Segment A straight line with a definite

start and end point A B
Ray A straight line with a definite

start and no end point A B
Line A straight line which continues

indefinitely in either direction A B
Intersection point The point where lines (curved or

or straight) cross each other
Point of intersection Where lines cross
Perpendicular lines Two straight lines that cross each

other at exactly 90o
Small box means 90o
Perpendicular line bisector A line that forms a 90o angle

with an interval and cuts it A 0 B
in half
Means same length, AO = OB
Angle bisector A line that divides an angle

in half
Arc Part of a circle drawn

using a compass
Arcs of equal radii Two arcs drawn without changing

(radii is plural for radius) the width of the compass
Point on a line A particular location on a line,

usually labeled with a letter. A
An external point A point that is not located on the A

line or object drawn
2 I 17 Constructions
SERIES TOPIC Mathletics Passport © 3P Learning
Line construction: Perpendicular bisector
The perpendicular bisector is a line that passes through the midpoint of an interval, at a right-angle (90o) to it.

1 Set up 2
• Start with line segment AB • D

raw two arcs, one above and one below
the line segment
A B
• S et the compass to more than half-way
along the line segment
A B
A B

3
4
• R
epeat step 2 from the other end. • Rule a line joining the intersections of the arcs
Each new arc must cross the first pair
• M
ark in the right-angle and call it M
(for midpoint)

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
A B
9
01
11
21
A M B
31
41
51
61
71
81
91
02
12
22
32
42
52
62
72
82
For all constructions, these thin, light construct lines must be left on the diagram.
It is the ‘working out’ for these types of questions.
How does it work? Your Turn Constructions

RUCTION:
ST
Draw the perpendicular bisector for the line segments or sides labeled AB below.
PE
A
INE CO
M
RPENDICUL
Show all construct lines used. B
..../...
../20...
*L
1
AR
R
BISECTO
A B
2
A
C B
Line construction: Perpendicular line at a point on the line
This is a line that is perpendicular to a line, passing through a specific point marked on it.
A
P
B

1 Set up 2
• C
onstruct a line perpendicular to AB, • D
raw two arcs across the line AB on either
through point P side of point P
A P B

• S et the compass to a radius that would
cross the line AB either side of the point P
(when the point of the compass is at P)
A P B
A P B

3
4
• M
ake the radius of the compass larger • R
ule a line XY joining the intersection of
than before the arcs and the point P
• D
raw an arc from each of the intersection • Mark in the right-angle
points from step 2, making sure they cross
each other

0
X
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
01
11
21
31
41
51
61
A P B
71
81
91
02
12
22
A P B
32
42
52
Y
62
72
82
Draw a perpendicular line XY that cross the line segment/side AB below through the point P.
Show all construct lines used.
AR LINE A
UL
PER NDIC
T
1 ON
CTI
A POINT
RU
PE
T
CONS
E
LIN ..../20...
..../. ON
*
THE LINE
A P B
2 What special geometrical line have you

B C constructed for this hexagon?
A D
F E
3 What is special about the perpendicular to the

line AB and the point P for this construction?
A
O
B
Line construction: Perpendicular line through a point external to the line
This is a line that is perpendicular to a given line that passes through a specific point external to the line.
P
B
A

1 Set up 2
• C
onstruct a line perpendicular to AB • Draw two separate arcs across the line AB
through the external point P
P
A B P
• M
ake the radius of the compass long enough
to cross the line AB when the compass is at P A B
A B

3
4
• Keep the radius of the compass the same • R

ule a line joining the intersection of the
arcs and the point P
• D
raw an arc from each of the intersection
points from step 2, on the other side • M
ark a right-angle where the line
opposite point P crosses the line AB
• Make sure they cross each other

0
1
2
3
P
4
5
P
6
7
8
9
01
11
21
31
41
A B
51
A B
61
71
81
91
02
12
22
32
42
52
62
72
82
ine construction: Perpendicular line through a point external

L
to the line
Draw a perpendicular line XY that cross the line segment/side AB below through the external point P.
1
P
A B
2 B
A
E THRO
LIN UG
3 For this construction, one arc will need to pass through the vertex A. AR
LI
H
NE
L
ERPENDICU
CO
POINT EXTE
NS
TR
UC
T
..../..... ION
/20...
*P
NA
E
L T IN
O THE L
A B
P Q
Line construction: Parallel line through a point external to the line
This is a line that is parallel to a given line that passes through a specific point external to the line.
P
A B

1 Set up 2
• C
onstruct a line perpendicular to AB through • S et the radius of the compass to less than
the external point P the distance PQ
P • D
raw a single arc through PQ and through
the line AB
• D
raw another similar arc with the compass
at point P
A B

• Rule a line through P and the line AB at
an angle
82
72
62
52
42
32
P
22
P
12
02
91
81
71
61
51
41
31
21
11
01
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
A Q B A Q B
2
1
0

3
4
• S et the radius of the compass to equal • M

ove the compass to point R and draw an
the distance between the two points of arc across it to find point S
intersection of the first arc
• Rule a line joining points P and S
• PS||AB
R
R
P
P
S
82 72 62 52 42 32 22 12 02 91 81 71 61 51 41 31 21 11 01 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
A Q B
A Q B
Construct a line segment XY parallel to AB, passing through the external point P.
1
ROUGH A P
TH O
NE
IN
ION
LEL LI
UCT
T E
STR
CON
XTERNA
20...
E
LIN /
RAL
P
. . . .
..../.
PA
L
* TO
THE LINE
A B
2 Use either line to construct a line parallel to JK and LM, that passes through P.
J K
L M
3 Create a parallelogram by constructing lines parallel to the lines AB and CD, both passing through P.
C D
Applications of line constructions
1 Follow these steps to find the center of the circle below.

(i) Construct
a line perpendicular to the interval AD, passing through the circumference point B.
Label the other point where this new perpendicular line crosses the circle circumference E.
(ii) Construct another line perpendicular to the interval AD, passing through the circumference point C.
Label the other point where this new perpendicular line crosses the circle circumference F.
(iii) Use a straight edge to draw in the intervals EC and BF. Where they cross is the center of the circle.
A B C D
2 Follow these steps to join two straight parallel line segments with a smooth, continuous curve.
(i) Join
BC with a straight line and then construct a perpendicular bisector to the line BC.
Label the point of intersection M.
(ii) Construct perpendicular bisectors to the sub intervals BM and CM.
(iii) Construct a line perpendicular to AB, down from the point B to intersect with the perpendicular
bisector of BM.
(iv) Place compass point on the new intersection point and draw an arc from B to M.
(v) Construct a line perpendicular to CD, up from the point C to intersect with the perpendicular
bisector of CM.
(vi) Place the compass point on the new intersection point and draw an arc from C to M.
A B
* AWESOM
E
C D
*
..../...
../20...
*
E
* AWESOM
Angle construction: Copying an angle
Angles between 0° and 180° can be copied (or duplicated) using the following construction techniques.
B F
=
A C D E

1 Set up 2
• C
opy this angle (or ‘construct a • Draw an arc crossing both arms of angle A
congruent angle’)
• Label the intersection points B and C
• Draw a similar arc from D
• Label the intersection point E
A
Congruent means equal

B
• D
raw a ray with the start point labeled
(in this case, with D) A
C
A D E
D

3
4
• S et the radius of the compass to the • R

ule a ray starting from point D through
distance BC point F
• F rom point E, draw an arc across the one
B
from step 2
• Label the point of intersection F
B A
C F 5
4
3
2
1
0
6
7
8
9
01
11
21
31
41
51
61
F
71
A
81
91
D
02
12
C
22
32
E
42
52
62
72
82
D E BAC = FDE
Construct copies of each of these angles.

A
* COP
GLE YI
AN N
T ION
TRUC
G
CONS
N
OPYING A
AN
2 Use the exact same method when copying obtuse angles.
E
ANGL
ANGLE *
0...
..../...../2
*C
OP
C
E
YI L
NG AN ANG
A D
3 For this diagram, construct CDE as an exact copy of BAD
B What geometrical statement can you

make about the rays AB and DC following
the construction of the angle CDE?
A D E
Angle construction: Bisecting an angle
Angles can be divided into two, equal smaller angles using these construction techniques.
C
A B

1 Set up 2
• C
onstruct the bisector (a line that cuts it • W
ithout changing the compass, draw an arc
into 2 equal parts) of this angle further out from point C

A B
• Draw an arc across both rays

• Label the intersection points B and C
A
C
A
C

3
4
• Repeat step 2 with the compass at point B • R

ule a ray (the bisector) from the vertex A
through the point D
• Label the point of intersection D
• Mark the equal angles with dots
0
1
B
2
3
4
5

6
7
D
8
9
01
11
21
31
Bisector
41
51
61
71
81
D
91
02
B
12
22
32
A
42
52
62
72
C
82
A BAD = CAD
C
` if BAC = 50o , BAD = CAD = 25o
Angle construction: Bisecting an angle E*

BISECTIN
GL O N G
RUCTI
AN
N
ST
CTING AN A
Bisect these angles. CON
ANG
LE * BI
L
...
ANG
. . . . . /20
../
SE
Construct the bisector for (i) CAB and (ii) XYZ
..
1
SE
BI
TI
C
NG *
AN ANGLE
(i) (ii)
B Y
Z
X
C A
2 Use the exact same method when bisecting obtuse angles. Construct the bisector EG for the
obtuse DEF.
E Name the two equal angles formed

by the bisector of DEF.
D F
3 Prove using construction methods, whether or not the ray

QS bisects PQR below:
S Is the ray QS the bisector of PQR?
R
Q
Angle construction: 60o and 30o angles
Angles of specific sizes can be constructed using a compass and straight edge.
60o 30o
A A
60o 30o
• Draw a large arc from point A • Draw a large arc from point A
A
A
• W
ith the compass on the intersection point,
draw an equal sized arc that crosses the
first one
• W
ith the compass on the intersection point,
draw an equal sized arc that crosses the
first one
• F rom the new intersection point, draw an

equal sized arc across the second one
A
• D
raw a line from A through the intersection
of the two arcs
• Label the angle 60o
A
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
• R
ule a line from A through the new
21
20
19
18
17
intersection of the two arcs

16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
60o
1
5
2
4
3
4
3
5
2
6
7
1
A
8
0
9
01
11
21
31
41
51
61
71
81
91
02
12
22
o
A 82
72
62
52
30
42
32
1 Construct the following sized angles with the vertex at the start of the ray, X
(i) 60o (ii) 30o
X X
2 (i) Construct a 60o angle with the vertex at the point A on the line segment below.
(ii) Bisect this new angle to split it into two 30o angles.
60O A
ES * N ND 3
L IO
CT
0
RU
NG
O
T
AND 30 O A
NS
ANG
CO
LES * 60 O
E
GL
./20...
AN
. / . . . .
...
O
60
A B ND *
30 ANGLES A
O
3 (i) Construct a 30o angle with the vertex at point X on the line segment below.
(ii) Construct a 60o angle with the vertex at point Y on the line segment below.
(iii) Extend the two constructed arms until they meet to form a triangle at point Z.
What type of triangle (ΔXYZ) has been formed

by combining these angle constructions?
X Y
Angles of specific sizes can be constructed using a compass and straight edge.
45o
45o 90o
• C
onstruct a perpendicular bisector to the • W
ith the compass at A, mark a dot O above
line segment AB (go back to check if you the line
forget how)
A M B A
• F lip the compass around and draw a large
arc from above O and through the line twice
• Label the second intersection point B
• S et the compass to the distance AM and draw
an arc from A to the perpendicular bisector
A M B A B
• R
ule a line from B, through O until it crosses the
arc again at C (BC is the diameter of the circle)
• R
ule a line from A through the intersection
of the arc and perpendicular bisector • Rule a line from C to A to make a right angle
• Label the angle 45o • Mark a right angle at A

28
27
26
25
82
24
72
23
22
62
C
21
52
20
28
42
19
27
18
32
26
17
22
25
16
12
24
15
23
14
02
13
22
91
12
21
81
11
20
10
71
19
9
61
18
O
8
17
51
7
16
41
6
15
45o
5
31
14
4
21
13
3
11
12
2
1
11
01
A M B
0
10
9
9
8
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
A
0
O ANGLES * 45
Angle construction: 45o and 90o angles 90 ON
O
RUCTI
AN
ST
S * 45 AND
CON
D 90 NGLE
Show all construct lines used for these construction questions.
LE
O A
ANG
Construct the following sized angles with the vertex at M. ..../...../20.0 ..
LE
1
G
*
S
N
45 A
O AND 90 O
(i) 45o (ii) 90o
M N
L M
2 (i) Draw (or construct) an angle below that is exactly 45o at the end point A on the ray AB below.
(ii) Copy the angle from part (i) at B to create a pair of parallel lines.
er me?
Rememb
A B
3 (i) Construct a 90o angle with the vertex at point X on the line below.
(ii) Construct a 45o angle with the vertex at point Y on the line below.
(iii) Extend the two constructed arms until they meet (point Z) to form a right-angled triangle.
What is special about the right-angled

triangle formed in this construction?
X Y
Combining line and angle constructions
Show all construct lines used for these trickier questions requiring combinations of construction techniques.
1 Construct the following sized angles with the vertex at X.
(i) 15o (ii) 22.5o

hint: this is half of 30
o
hint: this is half the size of which angle?
W X X Y
2 Construct a 75o angle with the vertex at the point P on the ray below. LINE A
hint: this is 15o less than a 90o angle or 30o more than a 45o angle. NG N
* C BINI
D
ANGLE CO
OM
20...
NS ..../...../
S
TRUCTION
3 (i) Construct a perpendicular bisector to the interval XY. Label the intersection point O.
(ii) Construct two 45o angles below the interval from each end point X and Y.
Draw the arms until they intersect.
(iii) Construct a 30o angle with the vertex at point X above interval XY.
(iv) Construct a 60o angle with the vertex at point Y above interval XY.
Draw the arm so it intersects with the 30o angle.
(v) Set the compass to the radius OX and draw a complete circle.
What is special about the intersection

of the angles and the circle drawn?
X Y
Cyclic polygon construction: Regular hexagon inscribed in a circle
A shape inscribed inside a circle is one where all the vertices touch the circumference of a circle.
These shapes are called cyclic polygons.

1 Set up 2
• Draw a complete circle and label the center O • W

ithout changing the compass, place the point
on the circumference and draw a small arc
O O

3
4
• M
ove the compass point to the arc drawn, and • R
ule a line from one arc intercept to the
repeat the same process all around the circle next to create a regular hexagon
28
27
26
25

24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
O O
2
1
0
Show all construct lines used for these.
1 (i) Construct a cyclic hexagon ABCDEF in the circle below using the point A the first vertex.
(ii) Keeping the radius of the compass the same, put your compass point at each vertex of the
hexagon and draw arcs starting and finishing on the circumference to produce a flower petal pattern.
ON
UCTI : REGU
TR L
NS
AR
CO
HEX
OLYGON
A
AGON INSC
/20...
IC P
..
..../...
CL
RI
BE
CY
E D
IN A
CIRCL
O
2 (i) Construct a hexagon UVWXYZ in the circle with center O below using the point U as the first vertex.
(ii) Construct a 30o angle using the side UV, with the vertex at U.
Extend the newly constructed arm until it meets the circumference of the circle.
(iii) Construct a 60o using the side WX, with the vertex at X.
Extend the newly constructed arm all the way across the circle.
After the straight line UX is drawn in,

what special type of triangle is formed?
O
U
Where does it work? Constructions
Triangle construction: Equilateral triangles
The basic construction techniques covered earlier can be applied to create specific shapes.
Equilateral triangle (side length method) Equilateral triangle (angle method)
• S et the compass to the length of the • Construct a 60o angle at A on the line segment
interval AB
A B
• Draw a large arc from one end (A)
A B
• Construct another 60o angle at B
A B
• Do the same from the other end of the line
A B
A B • R
ule over the side constructions to the point
of intersection to create an equilateral triangle
• Rule
the sides from A and B to the point of
intersection C
C
60o
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
60o 60o
1
A B
0
A B
Where does it work? Your Turn Constructions
RU
NST CTIO
Triangle construction: Equilateral triangles CO
N:
TRIANGLE
...
EQUILATER
Show all construct lines used for these triangle constructions.
. . . . /20
..../.
1 Construct equilateral triangles on XY below using the method indicated. S AL
TRIANGLE
(i) Constructing the angles (ii) Constructing the side lengths
X Y X Y
2 The angle method can also be used to construct isosceles triangles.

Construct an isosceles triangle using the given base AB, and with two equal angles of 30o
Remember: Isosceles
triangles have two equal
sides, opposite equal angles
A B
base of isosceles triangle
3 (i) Create a rhombus JKLM by constructing equilateral triangles on either side of the line segment below.
(ii) Construct the perpendicular bisector to the diagonal JL, ensuring the line passes through K and M.
(iii) Use an angle construction technique to see if the perpendicular bisector of JL also bisects JKL.
J
What geometric property of a rhombus

has been shown by these constructions?
Triangle construction: Median of a triangle
A median is a line which divides the area of a triangle down the ‘middle’ into two equal halves.
B
1 Median of ΔABC
2
A C
Area of triangle 1 = Area of triangle 2

1 Set up 2
• C
onstruct the median of ΔABC from the • C
onstruct the perpendicular bisector
side AB through the vertex C through AB

C
C
A B A B

3
4
• M
ark the midpoint of the line AB with a • Rule a line from D to the vertex C
letter (D)
C
• Mark the equal lengths AD and DB 26
27
28
25
C
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
A B
2
1
D
0
A D B
Area of ΔACD = Area of ΔBCD
Triangle construction: Median, centroid and circumcenter
Show all construct lines used for these triangle constructions.
1 Construct the median of the triangle below from the midpoint (M) of the side XY through the vertex W.

X
Name the two equal–sized triangles
formed by your construction.
2 The centroid (O) is the point where all the medians drawn from each side of a triangle intersect.
Find the centroid by constructing the median lines from every side of this triangle.
ION: MEDIA
CT N
RU
,
ST
CE
GLE CON
A
NTROID AND
..../
.....
IAN
/20..
.
TR CI
RC
UMCENTER
All the small triangles formed by the three median lines will have the exact same area!
Triangle construction: Median, centroid and circumcenter
The circumcenter of a triangle is found using the same construction methods as those used for finding
the centroid of a triangle.
The only difference is that instead of drawing in the median lines, we look at where the perpendicular
bisectors of each side cross each other. This point is the circumcenter of the triangle.
3 Follow these steps to construct the circumcenter for ΔJKL below.

(i) Construct the perpendicular bisector for the side JK.
(ii) Construct the perpendicular bisector for the side KL.
(iii) Construct the perpendicular bisector for the side JL.
(iv) Use a straight edge to extend the perpendicular bisectors to find the point they all intersect each other.
Label the circumcenter (C).
4 Construct the circumcenter for ΔXYZ below.

For this one, the circumcenter will be outside the triangle. Do the constructions and see for yourself!
Z
Y
Triangle construction: Orthocenter of a triangle
The orthocenter of a triangle is where the altitudes of a triangle all intersect each other.
The altitude of a triangle is a line that passes through the vertex, perpendicular to the side opposite it.

1 Set up 2
• Construct the orthocenter (O) of ΔPQR below • C

onstruct the line perpendicular to PR,
passing through the vertex Q
Q
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
P R
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
P R
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

3
4
• R
Q is extended (produced) to S with a dotted • Produce PQ to T to enable next construction
line to enable the following construction
• C
onstruct the line perpendicular to PQ,
• C
onstruct the line perpendicular to RQ, passing through the vertex R
passing through the vertex P
• Label the orthocenter (O)
S S
T
Q 0
1
Q
2
3
4
5
6
28
27 7
26 8
25 9
24 10
23
22 11
21 12
20 13
O
19
18 14
17 15
16 16
15
14 17
13 18
12 19
11
10 20
9 21
8
7 22
6 23
P R
5 24
4
P R
3 25
2 26
1 27
0
28
The correct term used to extend lines is produced. The order that the line segment is
named is important.
The line segment PQ is produced to S The line segment QP is produced to S
P Q S S P Q

UCTION
NSTR :
Show all construct lines used for these. O
TRIANGLE C
OR
THO
Construct the orthocenter (O) for these triangles below:
...
CENTE
. . . . /20
/.

....
1 2
R
OF
A TRIANGLE
D E
3 You will need to produce the side IH to J for 4 You will need to produce LM and KM.
this one. The perpendicular line for vertices K and L will join
with these produced lines outside of the triangle.
G K
I
M L
Triangle construction combo time: The Euler line
Leonhard Euler (pronounced Oiler) was a Swiss mathematician who discovered

that the orthocenter, centroid and circumcenter for any triangle are collinear.
This means they all lie in a perfect straight line. Pretty cool!
For the triangle below, construct the orthocenter, centroid and circumcenter and join them
with a straight line to show Euler’s line.
UCTIO
NSTR N
O
C
CO
TRIANGLE
MBO
20...
TIME:
. . . /
..
..../
E HE
T
EULER LIN
What else can you do? Constructions
Circle construction: A circle that passes through three non-collinear points
Non-collinear points are points that together, do not form a straight line.

1 Set up 2
• C
onstruct a circle that passes through these • R
ule two line segments between two pairs
three non-collinear points of points (eg PQ and PR)
P P
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
R
19
18
17
R 9
8
11
10
13
12
15
14
16
7
6
5
4
Q
3
Q
2
1
0

3
4
• C
onstruct the perpendicular bisector through • S et the radius of the compass to the distance
both line segments from O to any of the points P, Q or R
• Label their intersection point O • W
ith the compass at O, draw a full circle,
passing through all the points
P
R
0
1
2
3
4
R O
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Q
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
O
Q
What else can you do? Your Turn Constructions
LE THAT PA
ircle construction: A circle that passes through
C IRC S
C
three non-collinear points
SE
B
POINTS * A
CI
S T
RCL
RUC TION
A ST
E
ON
HROUGH
C
..../..
O
.../20.
C
..
R
For each group of three points below, construct the circle that passes through them.
TH
RE
EA
N E
NON-COLLI
1 a b
B M
A
L
C N
2 Circumscribing a circle on a triangle means drawing a circle that touches each vertex of a triangle.
So it is exactly the same method for construction, simply replacing the points with the vertices.
Circumscribe a circle on each triangle below by following the same steps as a circle passing through
three points.
a b
A L M
C
N
Circles: Tangents to a circle from an external point
A tangent is a line that just touches the circumference of a circle at one point.
Two or more lines that pass through the same point are called concurrent lines.
O P

1 Set up 2
Construct tangent lines through the external • C

onstruct the perpendicular bisector to find
point to the circle shown the midpoint (M) of the line segment OP
• Rule a line from the circle (O) to the point (P)

O P
O P
M

3
4
• S et the radius of the compass to the • R

ule the tangents to the circle at A and B,
distance OM that pass through the external point P
• Draw a circle with the compass at M
• L abel the points it crosses the circumference

A and B
A
A
O P
M 21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
20
O P
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
M
12
11
10
9
8
B
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1 C
onstruct tangent lines that are concurrent (pass through the same point) with the given external
point for the two circles below.
a b
O
O G
I
TANGENT
ES: S
L
TO
C
INT * CIR
A CI CLE F
0. ..
... ../2
R
2 The two circles below are the exact same size.
..../
PO
(i) Use a straight to draw a line segment QP that joins the center points. L OM
R
AN EXTERNA
(ii) Use your construction skills to find the midpoint (M) of the line segment QP.
(iii) Construct tangent lines from the point M to the circle with center P.
(iv) Show that these tangents are also tangents to the circle with center Q by extending them.
Circles: Incircle of a triangle
Incircles are drawn inside a triangle with the circumference just touching each side once.

1 Set up 2
• Construct the incircle of the triangle ABC • B

isect any two angles (in this case BAC
and BCA)
• Extend
the bisectors until they cross each
other (O)

A B
A B
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
C
23
24
25
C
26
27
28

3
4
• C
onstruct a line perpendicular to the side • W
ith the compass set to the distance OR,
common to both angles (AC), passing draw a circle with the compass at point O
through the point O
A B
A B
O
O
28
27
R
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
R
17
16
15
14
C
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
C
5
4
3
A B
2
1
0
Remember: Always leave the

construct lines on your drawing
R
Here is what the incircle of ΔABC
looks like without the construct lines C
Triangle constructions: Incircle of a triangle
Show all construct lines used for these constructions.
For ΔABC below:

(i) Construct the bisector for BAC.
(ii) Construct the bisector for ABC. Extend bisector to intersect with the bisector of BAC and label D.
(iii) Construct a line perpendicular to the side AB through the point D.
(iv) Use your compass to draw the incircle of ABC with center at point D.
A
A TRIANGL
OF E
*
E
L
RC
CI
ES: INCI
RCL
ES: INCI
. ./20...
.
RCL
./ . .
...
CI
RC
* E
L
OF E
A TRIANGL
Cheat Sheet Constructions
Here is a summary of the important things to remember for constructions
A B A B A B A M B
A B
A P B A P B A P B A P B A P B
Line construction: Perpendicular line through a point external to the line
P P P
P
P
A B A B A B
A B
A B
R R
P
P
P P
P
A B
A Q B
A Q B A Q B A Q B
B B B
A
A A A
C C C
F F
D
D E D E D E
Angle construction: Bisecting an angle
B
B
B
B
A
A A C
C A C
A
C
60o
60o
A A A
30o
30o
A A A A
45o
o
45
A M B A M B A M B
B
D D D
90o
A A B A B
O O O O
Triangle construction: Equilateral triangles

Side length method
C Angle method
60o
A B A B A B A B
60o 60o
A B A B A B
Triangle construction: Median of a triangle

C C C C
A B A B A B A B
D
A B
Q Q
Q Q
P R P R O
P R P R
Circle construction: A circle that passes through three non-collinear points
P P P
P
R R R
R O
Q Q Q
O
Q
A
O P O P O P
O P M M
M
B
Circles: Incircle of a triangle
A B B
A
A B
O O
R R
A B
A B
C
O C
C O
C
C
Constructions Notes
Constructions
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Constructions

Compass Pencil Rule/straight edge

Work through the book for a great way to do this

Line Segment A straight line with a definite

Ray A straight line with a definite

Line A straight line which continues

Intersection point The point where lines (curved or

Perpendicular lines Two straight lines that cross each

Perpendicular line bisector A line that forms a 90o angle

Angle bisector A line that divides an angle

Arc Part of a circle drawn

Arcs of equal radii Two arcs drawn without changing

Point on a line A particular location on a line,

An external point A point that is not located on the A

Line construction: Perpendicular bisector

• Start with line segment AB • D

Line construction: Perpendicular bisector

Line construction: Perpendicular line at a point on the line

Line construction: Perpendicular line at a point on the line

2 What special geometrical line have you

3 What is special about the perpendicular to the

Line construction: Perpendicular line through a point external to the line

• Keep the radius of the compass the same • R

 ine construction: Perpendicular line through a point external

Line construction: Parallel line through a point external to the line

• S et the radius of the compass to equal • M

Line construction: Parallel line through a point external to the line

Applications of line constructions

1 Follow these steps to find the center of the circle below.

Angle construction: Copying an angle

Congruent means equal

• S et the radius of the compass to the • R

Angle construction: Copying an angle

Construct copies of each of these angles.

3 For this diagram, construct CDE as an exact copy of BAD

B What geometrical statement can you

Angle construction: Bisecting an angle

• Draw an arc across both rays

• Repeat step 2 with the compass at point B • R

Angle construction: Bisecting an angle E*

E Name the two equal angles formed

3 Prove using construction methods, whether or not the ray

S Is the ray QS the bisector of PQR?

Angle construction: 60o and 30o angles

• F rom the new intersection point, draw an

intersection of the two arcs

Angle construction: 60o and 30o angles

Show all construct lines used.

(i) 60o (ii) 30o

What type of triangle (ΔXYZ) has been formed

Angle construction: 45o and 90o angles

• Label the angle 45o • Mark a right angle at A

What is special about the right-angled

Combining line and angle constructions

1 Construct the following sized angles with the vertex at X.

(i) 15o (ii) 22.5o

What is special about the intersection

Cyclic polygon construction: Regular hexagon inscribed in a circle

• Draw a complete circle and label the center O • W

Cyclic polygon construction: Regular hexagon inscribed in a circle

• Start with line segment AB • D

ine construction: Perpendicular line through a point external

• S et the radius of the compass to equal • M

• S et the radius of the compass to the • R

• Repeat step 2 with the compass at point B • R

• F rom the new intersection point, draw an

1 Construct the following sized angles with the vertex at X.

• Construct another 60o angle at B

• Do the same from the other end of the line

Triangle construction: Median, centroid and circumcenter

Triangle construction: Median, centroid and circumcenter

• S et the radius of the compass to the • R

• L abel the points it crosses the circumference

• Construct the incircle of the triangle ABC • B