Difference between revisions of "Construction"
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
7. Partition a line segment into <math>n</math> different parts. | 7. Partition a line segment into <math>n</math> different parts. | ||
| − | 8. Construct length <math>ab</math> given lengths <math>a</math> and <math>b</math>. | + | 8. Construct length <math>ab</math> given lengths <math>a</math> and <math>b</math> and unit segment <math>1</math>. |
| − | 9. Construct <math>a/b</math> and <math>\sqrt{ab}</math>. | + | 9. Construct <math>a/b</math> and <math>\sqrt{ab}</math>. Hence, construct <math>\sqrt{a}</math> given unit segment <math>1</math>. |
10. Construct a tangent to a circle. | 10. Construct a tangent to a circle. | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
11. Construct a common tangents to two circles. | 11. Construct a common tangents to two circles. | ||
| − | 12. Construct a parallelogram with side lengths a and b. | + | 12. Construct a parallelogram with side lengths a and b. Hence, construct a square with side length a. |
| Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
15. Construct a regular hexagon inside a given circle. | 15. Construct a regular hexagon inside a given circle. | ||
| − | 16. Construct the inverse of a point P with respect to circle C. In other words, construct the unique point <math>P'</math> on ray <math>CP</math> such that <math>CP * CP'</math> equals the square of the radius of C. | + | 16. Construct the inverse of a point P with respect to circle C. In other words, construct the unique point <math>P'</math> on ray <math>CP</math> such that <math>CP * CP'</math> equals the square of the radius of C. Hence or otherwise, construct the inverse of a point P ''using compasses only''. |
17. Construct a square, all of whose vertices are on a given triangle. | 17. Construct a square, all of whose vertices are on a given triangle. | ||
Revision as of 19:47, 28 August 2014
Constructions with straight edge and compass (i.e. the ability to mark off segments, draw circles and arcs, and draw straight lines) are a branch of geometry that rely on the use of basic geometrical axioms to create various figures in the Euclidean plane.
A compass is a tool that can draw circles and arcs of circles.
A straightedge is an unmarked ruler that can draw line segments.
No other tools are allowed in a construction. However, the two basic tools alone can allow one to:
1. Duplicate a line segment.
2. Copy an angle.
3. Construct an angle bisector.
4. Construct a perpendicular bisector.
5. Construct a perpendicular from a point to a line.
6. Construct a triangle with side lengths a, b, and c.
7. Partition a line segment into 
different parts.
8. Construct length 
given lengths 
and 
and unit segment 
.
9. Construct 
and 
. Hence, construct 
given unit segment .
10. Construct a tangent to a circle.
11. Construct a common tangents to two circles.
12. Construct a parallelogram with side lengths a and b. Hence, construct a square with side length a.
These basic constructions should be easy to accomplish. Now, try these:
13. Construct a line passing through a point 
parallel to line 
.
14. Construct a square circumscribed on a circle.
15. Construct a regular hexagon inside a given circle.
16. Construct the inverse of a point P with respect to circle C. In other words, construct the unique point 
on ray 
such that 
equals the square of the radius of C. Hence or otherwise, construct the inverse of a point P using compasses only.
17. Construct a square, all of whose vertices are on a given triangle.
18. Construct a regular pentagon.
19. Construct the radical axis of two circles.
20. Given two chords of a circle intersecting in the interior of the circle, construct another circle tangent to the chords and internally tangent to the original circle.
Good luck!
