Kablow!

Constructions, loci and bearings

Apprends en jouant

Réponds à ces questions pour gagner de l'énergie, puis pêche et explore. Sans compte.

Pour les enseignants : diapos de leçon, notes de révision prêts à l'emploi pour Constructions, loci and bearings (Mathematics, Geometry and measures) — utilise-les en cours, ou lance le thème en activité de classe interactive que tes apprenants jouent en direct.

Notes de leçon

Key Tools and Rules

  • Use the tools specified. Ruler-and-compass constructions exclude a protractor; bearings and some accurate triangle drawings allow one.
  • Leave all construction arcs visible – they are required for full marks.
  • Perpendicular-bisector endpoint arcs must match. For an angle bisector, the two arcs from the arm points must match each other; their radius need not match the initial vertex arc.
  • For bearings, always measure clockwise from north and write as three figures (e.g., 065°, not 65°).

Perpendicular Bisector of a Line Segment

  • To construct the perpendicular bisector of segment AB, set compass radius greater than half AB.
  • Draw arcs from A and B on both sides of the line; the arcs intersect at two points.
  • Join the two intersection points with a straight line – this is the perpendicular bisector.
  • Every point on this line is equidistant from A and B.

Perpendicular bisector of AB

Perpendicular bisector of ABABradius 5.44 cm

Perpendicular from a Point to a Line

  • Given a line and a point P (not on the line), place compass point at P and draw an arc cutting the line at two points.
  • From each of those two intersection points, draw arcs below the line (or on the opposite side) with the same radius.
  • Join P to the intersection of these two arcs – this is the perpendicular from P to the line.
  • The foot of the perpendicular is the point where it meets the line.

Perpendicular from P to a line

Perpendicular from P to a linePradius 4.88 cm

Angle Bisector

  • To bisect angle ABC, place compass at vertex B and draw an arc crossing both arms (BA and BC).
  • From the two arm-crossing points, draw equal-radius arcs large enough to intersect inside the angle. Their radius can differ from the initial vertex arc.
  • Draw a straight line from B through the intersection of the arcs – this is the angle bisector.
  • Every point on the bisector is equidistant from the two arms of the angle.

Bisect angle ABC

Bisect angle ABCBACradius 3.85 cm

Constructing Triangles

  • SSS (three sides): draw one side, then use compasses to mark arcs from each end with the other two lengths; the intersection gives the third vertex.
  • SAS (two sides and included angle): draw the base, measure the angle with a protractor (if allowed) or use a compass construction, then mark the second side length.
  • ASA (two angles and included side): draw the base, construct the two angles at each end using a protractor or compass, and extend the rays to meet.
  • Always leave construction lines visible to show your method.

Construct a triangle from three sides

Construct a triangle from three sidesBCAradius 5 cmradius 4 cm

Loci: Fixed Distance from a Point

  • The locus of points at a fixed distance from a point is a circle centred on that point.
  • The radius equals the fixed distance.
  • To construct it, set compass to the required radius and draw a full circle.

Fixed distance from a point

Fixed distance from a pointr = 3 cm

Loci: Fixed Distance from a Line

  • For a positive fixed distance from an infinite line, the complete locus is two parallel infinite lines.
  • For a finite segment, use two parallel offset segments joined by semicircles centred at its endpoints: the stadium boundary.
  • A locus at an exact distance is the boundary, not the whole region within that distance.

Loci: Equidistant from Two Points or Two Lines

  • The locus of points equidistant from two points is the perpendicular bisector of the segment joining them.
  • The locus of points equidistant from two intersecting lines is the angle bisector(s) of the angles formed.
  • For two parallel lines, the locus is the line halfway between them.
  • When solving problems, identify which locus condition applies and shade the correct region.

Bearings

  • A bearing is an angle measured clockwise from north and written as three figures (e.g., 047°, 180°, 315°).
  • Always measure from the north line at the point you are measuring from.
  • To find the bearing of B from A, draw a north line at A and measure the angle clockwise to the line AB.
  • If you know the bearing of B from A, the bearing of A from B is found by adding or subtracting 180° (if the result is ≥360°, subtract 360°).

Bearing of Q from P

Bearing of Q from PN065°50 kmPQ

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Never erase construction arcs – they are part of the method and earn marks.
  • Match the required paired arc radii. In an angle-bisector construction, the first vertex arc may use a different radius from the subsequent matched pair.
  • For bearings, do not measure anticlockwise and do not use the wrong reference (e.g., south or west).
  • Always include leading zeros in bearings (e.g., 065°, not 65°).
  • When shading a locus region, check which side satisfies the condition – shade the correct side.
  • Use a compass construction where required, not a protractor.

Diapos

Sign up free to view the lesson slides

Step through every slide for this topic — plus flashcards and revision notes — with a free account.

Questions d'entraînement

Aperçu gratuit — 8 sur 61 questions. Inscris-toi pour toutes les voir.
  1. 1.Which of the following is the correct definition of a locus?

    Easy
    • AThe path traced by a point moving according to a given rule
    • BA fixed point in space
    • CA line segment joining two points
    • DAn angle formed by two intersecting lines
  2. 2.In a three-figure bearing, the angle is measured clockwise from north.

    Easy

    True or false?

  3. 3.Which of the following is the correct construction for the perpendicular bisector of a line segment AB?

    Easy
    • ADraw a circle with centre A and radius AB, and a circle with centre B and radius AB; join the intersection points.
    • BDraw a circle with centre A and radius AB, and a circle with centre B and radius half of AB; join the intersection points.
    • CDraw a line from A to B, then use a protractor to draw a 90° angle at the midpoint.
    • DDraw two arcs with centre A and B with different radii; join the intersection points.
  4. 4.A point P moves so that it is always 3 cm from a fixed point O. What is the locus of P?

    Easy
    • AA circle of radius 3 cm centred at O
    • BA line segment of length 3 cm
    • CA square of side 3 cm
    • DA pair of parallel lines 3 cm apart
  5. 5.Which of the following is the correct construction for the bisector of angle ABC?

    Easy
    • ADraw a vertex-centred arc cutting both arms, then equal-radius intersecting arcs from those two points; join the vertex to their interior intersection.
    • BDraw a line from B to the midpoint of AC.
    • CDraw a perpendicular from B to AC.
    • DDraw a circle centred at B with radius BA; join its intersection with BC to A.
  6. 6.Which of the following are standard constructions that can be done using only a ruler and compasses? (Select all that apply)

    Medium
    • APerpendicular bisector of a line segment
    • BAngle bisector
    • CConstructing a triangle given three sides (SSS)
    • DUse a protractor instead of compass arcs when ruler-and-compasses only are specified
    • EConstructing a 60° angle
  7. 7.Match each locus condition to its shape.

    Medium
    • Fixed distance from a point
    • Fixed distance from a line
    • Equidistant from two points
    • Equidistant from two intersecting lines
    • Circle
    • Two parallel lines
    • Perpendicular bisector
    • Two angle bisectors
  8. 8.Arrange the steps to construct the perpendicular bisector of a line segment AB in the correct order.

    Medium
    • Open the compasses to a radius greater than half of AB.
    • Draw an arc with centre A, above and below AB.
    • Keeping the same radius, draw an arc with centre B, above and below AB.
    • Draw a straight line through the two intersection points of the arcs.

Unlock all 61 questions & more

Crée un compte gratuit pour voir toutes les questions, les diapos, les cartes mémo et les notes de révision de ce thème.

Annales

Les annales d'entraînement pour ce thème arrivent bientôt.
Bientôt disponible