Max is bisecting a segment. First, he places the compass on one endpoint and opens it to a width larger than half of the segment

Question

Zielflug [23.3K]

4 years ago

13

Max is bisecting a segment. First, he places the compass on one endpoint and opens it to a width larger than half of the segment

. Then, he swings an arc on either side of the segment. What is his next step?

Mathematics

1 answer:

Len [333] · Answer 1 · 2021-12-17T17:50:27+03:00

Let's say the original segment is AB. So we have A and B as the endpoints.

If Max placed the non-pencil part of the compass at point A to form the two arcs mentioned, then he'll have to repeat the process with the non-pencil part at point B. He'll get what you see below in the diagram.

The two arcs form points C and D. Segment CD bisects AB. In other words, CD cuts AB in half. This means AE = EB where E is the midpoint of AB.