Download Step-by-Step Directions for Constructions

Step-by-Step Directions for Constructions
Congruent Line Segment (pg.14)
Draw a point.
Measure the given segment.
Put the compass on the point you drew.
Make an arc.
Use a straightedge to connect the two points to make segment.
Congruent Angle (pg. 22)
Draw a ray.
Place the compass on the given angles' vertex.
Make an arc.
Place the compass on the endpoint of the ray.
Make an arc without changing the compass.
Measure the original angles from the two points just made on with the segment.
Place the compass similarly on the ray with the arc. Make an arc.
Connect the vertex on the ray and the new point.
*For the following constructions, a great website is
http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/constructions.html for a visual step-by-step.
Angle Bisector (pg. 23)
Place the compass on the vertex.
Make an arc.
Without changing the compass, make an arc at the 2 new points made from the previous arc.
Connect the vertex and the new point.
Perpendicular Bisector (Midpoint) (pg. 172)
Place the compass at one end of line.
Adjust the compass to slightly longer than half the line length
Draw arcs above and below the line.
Keeping the same compass width, draw arcs from other end of line.
Place ruler where the arcs cross, and draw the line.
Perpendicular line to a point not on the line (pg. 179)
Place the compass at given point.
Make an arc that goes through the segment (smiley face).
Keep the compass the same. At one point of the segment, draw an arc.
Repeat on the other point of the segment (football).
Place straightedge where the arcs cross, and draw the line. (The line should go through the given
point).
Parallel Line through a point (pg. 163, 170)
Rhombus Method:
Choose a point on the line, and with your compass point on that point draw an arc through the point
not on the line.
Using the same compass setting, draw two more arc from where that arc intersected the line, and from
the point no on the line.
Mark the intersection point of those two arcs.
The parallel line goes through the point not on the line and that intersection point.