Question

Joaquin is constructing the perpendicular bisector of ab. What should be his first step?

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Open the compass so that the distance from the two points of the compass is wider than half the length of $\over{AB}$.

Step-by-step explanation:

To construct a perpendicular for $\over{AB}$, we must first take a compass & take the distance of its arms wider than half the length of $\over{AB}$.

This is done in order to get two intersecting arcs in the top & bottom of $\over{AB}$ so that a perpendicular bisector can be drawn through it.

After two intersecting lines are drawn below & above $\over{AB}$, draw a line joining these 2 points through their points of intersection. The point where it intersects $\over{AB}$ is the middle-most point of $\over{AB}$ & now a perpendicular bisector of $\over{AB}$ is constructed.

$\rule{150pt}{2pt}$