What are the steps for using a compass and straightedge to construct a square? Drag and drop the steps in order from start to
finish. Use the straightedge to draw FD ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ and FE ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ .
Keeping the same compass width, place the compass on point E and draw an arc in the interior of ∠DBE to intersect the previously drawn arc. Label the point of intersection as point F.
Use a straightedge to draw line t and label a point on the line as point B.
Without changing the compass width, place the compass point on point D and draw an arc in the interior of ∠DBE .
With the compass open to the desired side length of the square, place the compass point on point B and draw an arc on line t and an arc on BC ← → . Label the points of intersection as points D and E.
Construct a line perpendicular to line t through point B. Label a point on this line as point C.
To construct a square using only a compass and a straightedge first we need to:
Use a straightedge to draw a line (we will name the line t) and label a point on the line as point B.
Then, you will draw a perpendicular line to the segment that passes through point B ( To remember how to draw a perpendicular line through a segment see the note at the end of the explanation), label a point on this line as point C.
With the compass open to the desired side length of the square (meaning the measure of the side of the square you need), place the compass point on point B and draw an arc on line t and an arc on BC. Label the points of intersection as points D and E.
Without changing the compass width, place the compass point on point D and draw an arc in the interior of ∠DBE .
Keeping the same compass width, place the compass on point E and draw an arc in the interior of ∠DBE to intersect the previously drawn arc. Label the point of intersection as point F.
Finally, use the straightedge to draw FD and FE (the other two sides of the square are DB and DE)
<u>*Note: To draw a perpendicular line through a segment follow the next steps:</u>
Place the compass point at point B
Draw an arc of ANY size that crosses line t twice (one to the left of point B and one to the right)
Stretch the compass larger than you first did and place the point at one of the points where the previous arc crossed the line.
Draw an arc above the line.
Using the same width you used on step 3, place the compass point at the other point in the line.
From there draw an arc above the line that crosses the other arc from step 4.
Using your straightedge draw a line from the intersection of both arcs and point B and this line will be perpendicular to the line and it will pass through point B.
