Constructing Perpendicular and Adapted from Walch Education
Perpendicular Lines and Bisectors Perpendicular lines are two lines that intersect at a right angle (90 ). A perpendicular line can be constructed through the midpoint of a segment. This line is called the perpendicular bisector of the line segment. It is possible to construct a perpendicular line through a point on the given line as well as through a point not on a given line. 2
Constructing a Perpendicular Bisector of a Line Segment Using a Compass 1. To construct a perpendicular bisector of AB, put the sharp point of your compass on endpoint A. Open the compass wider than half the distance of AB. 2. Make a large arc intersecting AB. 3. Without changing your compass setting, put the sharp point of the compass on endpoint B. Make a second large arc. It is important that the arcs intersect each other. 4. Use your straightedge to connect the points (continued) of intersection of the arcs. 5. Label the new line. Do not erase any of your markings. AB is perpendicular to line. 3
Constructing a Perpendicular Bisector of a Line Segment Using Patty Paper 1. Use a straightedge to construct AB onto patty paper. 2. Fold the patty paper so point A meets point B. Be sure to crease the paper. 3. Unfold the patty paper. 4. Use your straightedge to mark the creased line. 5. Label the new line. AB is perpendicular to line. 4
Constructing a Perpendicular Line Through a Point on the Given Line Using a Compass 1. To construct a perpendicular line through the point, A, on a line, put the sharp point of your compass on point A. The opening of the compass does not matter, but try to choose a setting that isn t so large or so small that it s difficult to make markings. 2. Make an arc on either side of point A on the line. Label the points of intersection C and D. 3. Place the sharp point of the compass on point C. Open the compass so it extends beyond point A. (continued) 5
4. Create an arc on either side of the line. 5. Without changing your compass setting, put the sharp point of the compass on endpoint D. Make a large arc on either side of the line. It is important that the arcs intersect each other. 6. Use your straightedge to connect the points of intersection of the arcs. 7. Label the new line. Do not erase any of your markings. CD is perpendicular to line through point A. 6
Constructing a Perpendicular Line Through a Point on the Given Line Using Patty Paper 1. Use a straightedge to construct a line,, on the patty paper. Label a point on the line A. 2. Fold the patty paper so the line folds onto itself through point A. Be sure to crease the paper. 3. Unfold the patty paper. 4. Use your straightedge to mark the creased line. 5. Label the new line. Line is perpendicular to line through point A. 7
Constructing a Perpendicular Line Through a Point Not on the Given Line Using a Compass 1. To construct a perpendicular line through the point, G, not on the given line, put the sharp point of your compass on point G. Open the compass until it extends farther than the given line. 2. Make a large arc that intersects the given line in exactly two places. Label the points of intersection C and D. (continued) 8
3. Without changing your compass setting, put the sharp point of the compass on point C. Make a second arc below the given line. 4. Without changing your compass setting, put the sharp point of the compass on point D. Make a third arc below the given line. The third arc must intersect the second arc. 5. Label the point of intersection E. 6. Use your straightedge to connect points G and E. Label the new line. Do not erase any of your markings. Line is perpendicular to line through point G. 9
Constructing a Perpendicular Line Through a Point Not on the Given Line Using Patty Paper 1. Use a straightedge to construct a line,, on the patty paper. Label a point not on the line, G. 2. Fold the patty paper so the line folds onto itself through point G. Be sure to crease the paper. 3. Unfold the patty paper. 4. Use your straightedge to mark the creased line. 5. Label the new line. Line is perpendicular to line through point G. 10
Parallel lines are lines that either do not share any points and never intersect, or share all points. Any two points on one parallel line are equidistant from the other line. There are many ways to construct parallel lines. One method is to construct two lines that are both perpendicular to the same given line. 11
Constructing a Parallel Line Using a Compass 1. To construct a parallel line through a point, A, not on the given line, first construct a line perpendicular to. 2. Put the sharp point of your compass on point A. Open the compass until it extends farther than line 3. Make a large arc that intersects the given line in exactly two places. Label the points of intersection C and D. (continued) 12
4. Without changing your compass setting, put the sharp point of the compass on point C. Make a second arc below the given line. 5. Without changing your compass setting, put the sharp point of the compass on point D. Make a third arc below the given line. The third arc must intersect the second arc. 6. Label the point of intersection E. 7. Use your straightedge to connect points A and E. Label the new line. Line is perpendicular to line. (continued) 13
8. Construct a second line perpendicular to line. 9. Put the sharp point of your compass on point A. Open the compass until it extends farther than line 8. Make a large arc that intersects line in exactly two places. Label the points of intersection F and G. 9. Without changing your compass setting, put the sharp point of the compass on point F. Make a second arc to the right of line. (continued) 14
12. Without changing your compass setting, put the sharp point of the compass on point G. Make a third arc to the right of line. The third arc must intersect the second arc. 13. Label the point of intersection H. 14. Use your straightedge to connect points A and H. Label the new line. Do not erase any of your markings. Line is perpendicular to line. Line is parallel to line. 15
Constructing a Parallel Line Using Patty Paper 1. Use a straightedge to construct line on the patty paper. Label a point not on the line A. 2. Fold the patty paper so the line folds onto itself through point A. Be sure to crease the paper. 3. Unfold the patty paper. 4. Fold the new line onto itself through point A. 5. Unfold the patty paper. 6. Use your straightedge to mark the second creased line. 7. Label the new line. Line is parallel to line. 16
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