Answer: You can construct perpendicular lines using only a straightedge, pencil, and drawing compass. Perpendicular lines are easily constructed with high accuracy, whether you are an artist, mathematics student or architect. Begin by using a straightedge to draw a line.
Examples, solutions, videos, and worksheets to help Grade 8 students learn how to draw a Perpendicular Line from a Point that is on a Line. The following diagrams show how to construct perpendicular lines through a point not on the line and through a point on the line. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions. Using a Compass to construct perpendicular lines
How to Construct a Perpendicular Line through a Point on the Given Line?
Perpendicular through a Point on a Line
How to draw a perpendicular line from a point that is on a line?
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Here we will learn about constructions between points and lines, including how to construct a perpendicular from a point to a line using a pencil, a ruler and a pair of compasses. There are also constructions worksheets, which include constructions between points and lines based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.
Constructions between points and lines are accurate drawings where a perpendicular line is drawn from a point to a line. To do this we need to use a pencil, a straight-edge (a ruler) and compasses. E.g. Here a perpendicular line drawn is from a point P to a given line.
Here a perpendicular line is drawn from a point P on a given line.
In order to construct a perpendicular from a point to a given line segment:
Get your free constructing perpendicular lines worksheet of 20+ perpendicular bisector questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions. COMING SOON
Get your free constructing perpendicular lines worksheet of 20+ perpendicular bisector questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions. COMING SOON
Construct a line from point P perpendicular to the line
Put the point of the compasses on the original point P . Draw an arc that crosses the original line in two places. These are labelled A and B .
2Make two more arcs which intersect. Put the point of the compasses on point A where an arc crosses the line and draw another arc. Keep the compasses on the same setting. Repeat with point B , drawing another arc to intersect the arc just drawn.
3Join the point where the arcs intersect to the original point. Using a straight-edge (a ruler), join up the point where the arcs intersect each other and the original point P .
The new line is perpendicular to the original line segment. The new line will have also bisected the length AB .
Construct a line from point P perpendicular to the line
Draw two arcs crossing the line segment.
Put the point of the compasses on the original point P . Draw arcs that cross the original line in two places. These are labelled A and B .
Make two more arcs which intersect.
Put the point of the compasses on point A where an arc crosses the line and draw another arc. Keep the compasses on the same setting. Repeat with point B , drawing another arc to intersect the arc just drawn.
Join the point where the arcs intersect to the original point.
Using a straight-edge (a ruler), join up the point where the arcs intersect each other and the original point P .
The new line is perpendicular to the original line segment. The new line will have also bisected the length AB .
In order to construct a perpendicular from a point on a given line segment:
Construct a perpendicular line passing through point P
Draw two arcs crossing the line segment.
Put the point of the compasses on the original point P . Draw arcs that cross the original line in two places. These are labelled A and B .
Make two sets more arcs which intersect on both sides of the line.
The compasses will need a wider setting. Put the point of the compasses on point A where an arc crosses the line and draw arcs on both sides of the line. Repeat with point B , drawing another pair of arcs to intersect the arcs just drawn.
Join the points where the arcs intersect.
Using a straight-edge (a ruler), join up the two points where the arcs intersect each other. The new line should go through the original point.
The new line is perpendicular to the original line segment. The new line will have also bisected the length AB .
Construct a perpendicular line passing through point P
Draw two arcs crossing the line segment.
Put the point of the compasses on the original point P . Draw arcs that cross the original line in two places. These are labelled A and B .
Make two sets more arcs which intersect on both sides of the line.
The compasses will need a wider setting. Put the point of the compasses on point A where an arc crosses the line and draw arcs on both sides of the line. Repeat with point B , drawing another pair of arcs to intersect the arcs just drawn.
Join the points where the arcs intersect.
Using a straight-edge (a ruler), join up the two points where the arcs intersect each other. The new line should go through the original point.
The arcs drawn should be drawn lightly so can be adjusted if needed but they must be visible in your final answer. This is to show that you have used the correct method to draw the perpendicular bisector accurately.
A sharp pencil helps your diagram to be accurate. Using a small pencil in compasses can also be helpful. Practice constructions between points and lines questions
The construction arcs should be made with compasses and be visible. The final line should go through both sides of the line and be drawn with a straight-edge.
The construction arcs should be made with compasses and be visible. The final line should go through both sides of the line, going through the original point and the intersection of the arcs.
The construction arcs should be made with compasses and be visible. The final line should go through the original point and be drawn with a straight-edge.
The construction arcs should be made with compasses and be visible. The compasses need to be widened for the second set of arcs. The final line should go through the original point and be drawn with a straight-edge. Constructions between points and lines GCSE questions
1. Use a ruler and compasses to construct the perpendicular from point R to the line PQ You must show your construction lines.
(2 marks)
For the first arc(s) crossing the line centered on R (1) For the perpendicular with all construction arcs (1)
2. Use a ruler and compasses to construct the perpendicular from point P on the line MN You must show your construction lines.
(2 marks)
For the first arcs crossing the line MN centered on P (1) For the perpendicular with all construction arcs (1)
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