Topic: Constructions & Loci

Lesson Objectives

• Construct triangles including an equilateral triangle

• Construct the perpendicular bisector of a given line
• Construct the perpendicular from a point to a line
• Construct the perpendicular from a point on a line
• Construct the bisector of a given angle
• Construct angles of 60º, 90º , 30º, 45º
• Construct a regular hexagon inside a circle
Constructions

To ‘construct’ something in the strictest sense

means to draw it using only two things:

? ?

Straight Edge
Compass
Skill #1: Perpendicular Bisector
Draw any two points, label them A and B, and find their perpendicular bisector.

STEP 2: Using the same

distance on your
compass, draw another
arc, ensuring you
include the points of
intersection with the
other arc.
A
B

STEP 1: Put your

compass on A and set STEP 3: Draw a line
the distance so that it’s between the two points
slightly more than of intersection.
halfway between A and
B. Draw an arc.
Common Losses of Exam Marks

A A

B B

Le Problemo: Le Problemo:
Arcs don’t overlap enough, so Locus is not long enough.
(Since it’s actually infinitely long, we
? to draw line
points of intersection ?
want to draw it sufficiently long to
through is not clear.
suggest it’s infinite)
Skill #2: Constructing Polygons
a. Equilateral Triangle
Draw a line of suitable length (e.g. 7cm) in your books, leaving some space above.
Construct an equilateral triangle with base AB.

Click to
sketch

Draw two arcs with the

length AB, with centres
A and B.

A B
Skill #2: Constructing Polygons
b. Other Triangles
“Construct a triangle with lengths 7cm, 5cm and 4cm.”
(Note: this time you do obviously need a ‘ruler’!)

Click to
sketch

5cm
4cm

A 7cm B
(It’s easiest to start with longest length)
Skill #2: Constructing Polygons
c. Square
Click for Step 1

Click for Step 2

With the compass
set to the length AB
and compass on the
point B, draw an arc Click for Step 3
and find the
intersection with
the line you Extend the line and
previously drew. centering the
compass at B, mark
two points the
A B same distance from
B. Draw their
perpendicular
bisector.
Skill #2: Constructing Polygons
c. Hexagon
Start by drawing a
Click for Step 1
circle with radius
5cm. A
B
Click for Step 2

Click for Step 3

Make a point A on the

circle.
Using a radius of 5cm
again, put the compass
on A and create a point
B on the
circumference.
Constructing a Regular Pentagon
(No need to write this down!)
Skill #3: Angle Bisector
Now draw two lines A and B that join at one end. Find
STEP 1: Use your
the angle bisector of the two lines.
compass the mark two
A points the same distance
along each line.

STEP 2: Find the

perpendicular bisector
of the two points.

The line is known as the

angle bisector because
it splits the angle in half.

B
Skill #4: Constructing Angles

60 °
Click to
Brosketch

Some as constructing
equilateral triangle –
only difference is that
third line is not
wanted.

A B
Skill #4: Constructing Angles

30 °
Click to
Brosketch

First construct angle,

then find angle
bisector.

A B
Skill #4: Constructing Angles

90 ° Click to sketch

Same as
constructing a
square, except you
won’t need other
line or additional
arcs.
You will be told
what point to
construct angle at
(in this case A)

A B
Skill #4: Constructing Angles

45 ° Click to
Brosketch
Construct angle
then find angle
bisector.

A B
Skill #5: Construct the perpendicular from a point to a line
You know how to find the
perpendicular bisector. But how do
you ensure it goes through a Click for Step 1
particular point?

Click for Step 2

Find perpendicular bisector of Centre compass on point and mark

these two points. two points with the same distance
on the line.
Skill #6: Construct the perpendicular from a point on a line
If the point is on the line, the
method is exactly the same.
(And same as constructing angle except Click for Step 1
you don’t need to extend line)

Click for Step 2

Find perpendicular bisector of Centre compass on point and mark

these two points. two points with the same distance
on the line.
 Overview

• Construct triangles including an equilateral triangle

• Construct the perpendicular bisector of a given line
• Construct the perpendicular from a point to a line
• Construct the perpendicular from a point on a line
• Construct the bisector of a given angle
• Construct angles of 60º, 90º , 30º, 45º
• Construct a regular hexagon inside a circle
• Construct:
Locus of points
Loci
! A locus of points is a set of points satisfying a certain condition.
We can use our constructions from last lesson to
Loci involving: find the loci satisfying certain conditions…
Thing A Thing B Interpretation Resulting Locus

A given distance
Point -
from point A
A
?

A given distance A
Line -
from line A ?
Equidistant from 2 Perpendicular bisector

points or given
Point Point distance from each
A
B ?
point.

Equidistant from 2 A
?
Angle bisector
Line Line
lines
B
A
Equidistant from
?B
Parabola
Point Line
point A and line B
Regions satisfying descriptions
Loci can also be regions satisfying certain descriptions.

Moo!
Click to
Broshade
3m
3m

Click to
Broshade

A goat is attached to a post, by a rope of

A goat is now attached to a metal bar, by a rope of
length 3m. Shade the locus representing length 3m. The rope is attached to the bar by a ring,
the points the goat can reach. which is allowed to move freely along the bar. Shade
the locus representing the points the goat can reach.

A Shade the region

Common schoolboy
error: Thinking the locus
consisting of points
will be oval in shape.
which are closer to line
A than to line B.

Click to As always, you MUST show

Broshade
B construction lines or you will
be given no credit.
Examples
Q I’m at most 2m away from the walls of a building. Mark this region with .
Copy the diagram (to scale) and draw the locus. Ensure you use a compass.
Scale: 1m : 1cm
R 2m

2m

Circular corners.

10m

Straight corners.

2m

10m
Examples
Q I’m 2m away from the walls of a building.
Copy the diagram (to scale) and draw the locus. Ensure you use a compass.
Scale: 1m : 1cm
2m

6m

10m
6m

10m
Click to Broshade
Examples
Q
Scale: 1m : 1cm

My goat is attached
to a fixed point A on
R a square building, of
5m x 5m, by a piece
of rope 10m in
10m A length. Both the
goat and rope are
fire resistant. What
region can he
reach?

Bonus question:
5m What is the area
of this region, is
in terms of ?
Click to Broshade 87.5  ?
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