Home » Uncategories » How to Draw a Perpendicular Line Using a Compass TUTORIAL

How to Draw a Perpendicular Line Using a Compass TUTORIAL

Download Article

Perpendicular lines are lines that form right angles. These types of lines are used often in geometry, and then it is important to know how to construct them. The simplest way to construct a perpendicular line is to utilise a protractor. However, you volition often be asked to construct a perpendicular line using only a compass and straightedge.

1
Line up the given line and the protractor. Gear up the protractor's origin hole over the line'due south given betoken. Align the protractor so that its base line sits exactly over the given line.
- The origin hole is the pocket-size hole at the lesser-center of the protractor.
- The base of operations line is the line on the bottom of the protractor marking 180/0 degrees.
2

Mark a point at the ninety-caste line. This is the line measurement at the very top of the protractor. Two perpendicular lines class a xc-caste, or right, angle.^[one] Thus, to draw a perpendicular line, you lot need to describe a 90-degree bending.

Advertisement
3

Connect the given point with the 90-degree mark. Apply the straightedge of the protractor to ensure that the line is straight. This line is perpendicular to the original line, through the given betoken on the line.

Ad

1
Draw an arc on either side of the given indicate. To exercise this, place the compass tip on the given betoken on the line. So, swing the compass, cartoon two arcs on both sides of the given point. The arcs should intersect the line.^[ii] Marking and label the points where the arcs intersect the line.
- You tin can set up the compass to any width for this footstep.
- For case, you might be given point A on a line. Use the compass to draw point P to the left, and signal Q to the correct.
2
Increase the width of the compass. Place the compass tip on the new point to the left of the original signal. Stretch the compass so that information technology reaches about halfway between the original point, and the new bespeak on the right.^[3]
- For example, place the compass tip on point P, and stretch the compass to a point nearly halfway between points A and Q.
three
Draw an arc above the line. You could as well describe the arc beneath the line. Keeping the compass tip on the left signal, swing the compass, drawing an arc. Make sure the arc crosses over the original signal.^[iv]
- For case, keep the compass tip on bespeak P. Draw an arc above the line.
four
Draw a 2d arc, intersecting the first. Do not modify the width of the compass. Fix the compass tip on the right signal. Swing the compass, drawing an arc in a higher place the line that intersects the kickoff arc.^[5] Mark this intersection with another point.
- For instance, place the compass tip on point Q. Draw an arc that intersects the first arc at indicate T.
five
Connect the given point to the bespeak where the arcs intersect. Use a straightedge to ensure the line is straight. The line you describe is perpendicular to the kickoff line, through the given point on the line.^[vi]
- For instance, draw a line connecting points A and T.
6

Finish up with the construction.

Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

Can we depict the arc both to a higher place/below the line?

Yes. With either of the methods shown to a higher place, you lot may (but don't have to) draw similar arcs on both sides of the given line. An arc (or arcs) on simply 1 side of the line is sufficient, simply cartoon them on both sides is a good way to verify the accuracy of the perpendicular line.
Question

How can I divide a straight line into half-dozen equal parts?

Assuming no measuring tool or protractor, this tin can exist washed with a compass and straightedge. Label the line AB. From A draw another straight line at whatever acute angle from AB. Mark off 6 equal segments on this new line. Characterization the segments AC, CD, DE, EF, FG and GH. Describe a line from H to B. From line AH describe five lines to AB that are each parallel to HB. (Use a compass or protractor to make these lines parallel to HB.) These parallel lines volition intersect AB and then every bit to divide AB into six equal parts.
Question

How can you depict a perpendicular line a then make a line parallel to it?

You can follow the aforementioned steps, but brainstorm with a different bespeak on the line.
Question

What if the betoken is already fatigued?

Use that indicate as "the given betoken" in either of the above methods.
Question

How many perpendicular can be drawn at a particular point on a directly line?

Only one line can be drawn perpendicular to a straight line at any given bespeak on that line.
Question

How to draw perpendicular bisector?
Question

How to construct inscribed equilateral triangle?

If you want to inscribe an equilateral triangle inside a circle, you tin can do it with a protractor and a drawing compass. Draw a circle with the compass, and annotation the circumvolve'due south middle. At the center, divide the circumvolve into three 60° angles, and annotation the iii points where the radii meet the circumference. Join those iii points with direct lines, and yous have drawn an inscribed equilateral triangle.
Question

How is a perpendicular line through a bespeak on a line similiar to a perendicular line through a point off a line?

Actually, the ii are identical. They look exactly the same. A perpendicular line passing through a signal on another line passes through an space number of points off that line.