0962CHl1

CHAPTER 11|
CONSTRUCTIONS
11.1Introduction
In earlier chapters, the diagrams, which were
necessary
exercises were not necessarily precise. They were drawnto prove a theorem or solving
the situation and as an aid for proper only to give you a feeling for
reasoning.
accurate figure, for example - to draw a map of a However, sometimes one needs an
tools, and various parts of a machine, to draw building to be constructed, to design
some basic geometrical instruments are road maps etc. To draw such figures
which contains the following: needed. You must be having a geometry box
(i) A graduated scale, on one side of
which centimetres and millimetres are
marked off and on the other side inches
and their parts are marked off.
(ii) Apair of set- squares, one with
90°, 45° and 45°.
angles 90°,60° and 30° and other with angles
(iü) Apair of dividers (or a divider)
with adjustments.
(iv) A pair of compasses (or a
end. compass) with provision of fitting a pencil
at one
() A protractor.
Normally, all these
as atriangle, a circle, a instruments are needed in drawing a geometrical
quadr1lateral, a polygon, etc. with given figure, such
geometrical construction is the process of measurements. But a
instruments - an ungraduated ruler, alsodrawing a geometrical
called a figure using onlytwo
construction where measuremnents are also straight edge and a Compass. In
required,
and protractor also. In this chapter, some basic you may use a graduated scale
will then be used to construct constructions will be considered. These
certain kinds of triangles
(ONSTRlCIONS 189

1.2Basic Constructions

VI. you
have learnt
how to construct a circle, the perpendicular bisector of a
In Class angles of 30°, 45°, 60°,90° and 120°, and the bisector of a given angle,
segment,
line justification for these
without givingany constructions. In this section, you will construct
Some ofthese, with reasoning behind, why these constructions are valid.
Construction 11.1 : To construct the bisector of a given angle.
ABC, we want to construct its bisector.
Given an angle
Construction :
Steps of
1. Taking B as centre and any radius, draw an arc to intersect the rays BA and BC,
say at E and Drespectively (see Fig.l1.1(i)].
1
than DE, draw arcs to
) Next, taking D and E as centres and with the radius more
intersect each other, say at F.
bisector of the angle
3. Draw the ray BF [see Fig.11.1(i)).This ray BF is the required
ABC. A
A1

B
B

(i)
(ii)
Fig. 11.1
required angle bisector.
Let us see how this method gives us the
Join DF and EF.
In triangles BEF and BDE,
BE = BD (Radii of the same arc)
EF = DF (Arcs of equal radii)
BF = BF (Common)
(SSS rule)
Therefore, ABEF ABDF
(CPCT)
Ihis gives ZEBF = ZDBF
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Construction 11.2 : To construct the perpendicular bisector of u given line
segment.
bisector.
Given a line segment AB, we want to construct its perpendicular
Steps of Construction :
1. Taking A and B as centres and radius more than

2 AB,draw arcs on both sides of the line segment

AB (to intersect each other).
2. Let these arcs intersect each other at P and Q.
M
Join PQ(see Fig.11.2).
3. Let PQ intersect AB at the point M. Then line
PMQis the required perpendicular bisector of AB.
Let us see how this method gives us the
perpendicular bisector of AB.
Join Aand Bto both Pand Qto form AP, AQ, BP Fig. 11.2
and BQ.
In triangles PAQ and PBQ,
AP = BP (Arcs of equal radi)
AQ= BQ (Arcs of equal radii)
PQ =PQ (Common)
Therefore, A PAQ APBQ (SSS rule)
So, 2 APM =2BPM (CPCT)
Now in triangles PMA and PMB,
AP = BP (As before)
PM = PM (Common)
ZAPM=Z BPM (Proved above)
Therefore, APMAAPMB (SAS rule)
So, AM =BMand PMA =Z PMB (CPCT)
As ZPMA+ZPMB = 180° (Linear pair axiom).
we get
Z PMA=ZPMB = 90°.
Therefore, PM, that is, PMQ is the perpendicular bisector of AB.

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Construction 11.3 : To construct an angle of 60 at the initial point of a given

ray.
a ray AB
with initial point A[see Fig. 11.3()].
We want to construct aray
Let us take
ACsuch that ZCAB. =60°. One way of doing so is given below.
Construction :
Steps of
centre and some radius, draw an arc B
TakingAas
1. which intersects AB, say at a point D. (0)
of a circle,
centre and with the same radius as
2 Taking Das
before, draw an arc intersecting the previously
drawn arC, say at a point
E.

3. Draw the ray AC passing through E (see Fig 11.3 (ii)].

Then CAB is the required angle of 60°. Now.
required
let us see how this method gives us the A
angle of 60°. (ii)
Join DE. Fg. 11.3
AE = AD = DE (By construction)
Then,
triangle and the EAD, which is the same as
Therefore, A EAD is an equilateral
Z CAB is equal to 60°.

EXERCISE11.1
90 at the initial point of a given ray and justify the construction.
1. Construct an angle of and justify the construction.
at the initial point of a given ray
Z. Construct an angle of 45°
following measurements:
J. Construct the angles of the
(i) 15°
i) 30 ü) 22 2
and verify by measuring them by aprotractor:
Construct the following angles (i) 135°
(1) 105°
) 75° construction.
5, triangle, given its side and justify the
Construct an equilateral

11.3 Some Constructions of Triangles constructions of

some
So far, Some basic Constructions have been considered. Next, given
given in earlier classes and the
triangles will be done by using the constructions
rules give
above. Recall SSS, ASA and RHS
from the Chapter 7that SAS, unique if : (i) two
sides and the
is
congruency of two Therefore, a
triangles.
triangle
192
MAEMIES
ngles and the included side
included ngle in given, 0)three sides are given,( i two Ynu bave
in given mml, (iv)in aiyhutrmge,! hypotenuse amdoeside is given
coDsler sM)
already
Clss VII, Now, let s
learnt bow to cotruct suchtngles in parts of atianple
that at least three
construetions of ngles, Yo ay have noted cobination of three pats
re sufficient
have tobe givenfor oslctingit but otall angle (not the inelluded angle) are
for the pupose, Fon exnple, it two sides nd an triangle unqey
iven, then iis not always possible to Costruct sch
a
Imgle, given ts
buse, n buse angl
Construction L4 : ln eonstta
of other lwn xides.
+ACof e other two ides
Giventhe base BC, 4 bae sele. sv /Bnd the suD AB
of a triangle ABC, youare requied to coDstrut
Steps of Constructlon
I. Draw the base B und at the point B make an
angle, vay XBC equal to the given angle.
2. Cut line egent BDcqual to B+AC Irom
the ray BX.
3. JoinDCAnd make an angle DCY cqual to Z3DC.
4, Let (Y intersect BX at A(ee lig, 114).
Then, ABCis the required triangle.
Let ussee how you get the required rangle.
Fig. 14
Base BC adZB are drawn an given. Next in triangle
ACD,
/ACD/AD (By costruction)
Therefore, AC AD and then
AB BD AD BD AC
AB + AC BD
Alternative method :
Follow the first two steps aN above, "Then draw
perpendicular biscetor P) ofCD to intersect BD at
apoint A(sce ig II.5). Join AC, Then ABC is the
required triangle. Note thut Alies onthe perpendicular
bisector of CD, herelore ADAC.
Remark! The coOnstruction of the triangle is not
possible if the sunn AB + AC% BC.

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 CONSTRUCTIONS

Construction
11.5 : To construct a triangle given its base, a base angle and the
sides.
diference
of the other tWO
BC. a base angle, say ZB and the difference of other two sides
base
Given the
AC.-AB, you have to construct the triangle ABC. Clearly there are
AB - AC or
following two cases:

Let, AB > ACthat is AB - AC is given.

Case(i):
Construction :
Steps of
Drawthe base BC and at point B make an angle
1.
say XBC equal to the given angle.
from
Cut the line segment BD equal toAB - AC
ray BX.

2Join DC and draw the perpendicular bisector, sav

PQ of DC. B
AC
ALet it intersect BX at a point A. Join
(see Fig. 11.6).
Fig. 11.6
Then ABC is the required triangle.
Jet us now see how youhave obtained the required triangle ABC.
Base BC and ZB are drawnas given. The point Alies on the perpendicular bisector of
DC. Therefore,
AD = AC
BD = AB - AD = AB - AC.
So,
Case (ii) : Let AB <AC that is AC - AB is given.
Steps of Construction :
1. Same as in case (1).
2. Cut line segment BD equal to AC - AB from the
line BX extended on opposite side of line segment
BC.
3. Join DC and draw the perpendicular bisector, say B
PQ of DC.
4. Let PQ intersect BXat A. Join AC(see Fig. 11.7).
Then, ABC is the required triangle.
TOucan justify the construction as in case (1).
Fig. 11.7
194
MAnHEMMTWS
perimeter and its two hase
its
Construetlon 11.6 : To construct a triangle, given
angles. construcs
base angles, sav /R and / Cand BC + CA + AB, you have to
Gven the
the triangle ABC.
Steps of Construction :
I. Draw a line segment, say XY equal to BC + CA + AB.
2. Make angles LXY cqual to Band MYX equal to ZC. point A
3. Bisect ZLXY andMyx Lot these biscctors intersect at a
[see Fig. 11.8(()].
M

Fig. 11.8 ()
4. Draw perpendicular bisectors PQ of AX and RS of AY.
C. Join AB and AC
5. Let PQ intersect XY at B and RS intersect XY at
|see Fig I18(i)1.
RM

Fig. I1.8 ()
Then ABC is the required triangle. For the justification of the construction, you
observe that, B lies on the perpendicular bisector PQ of AX.
Therefore, XB = AB and similarly, CY = AC.
Thisgives BC + CA+ AB= BC+ XB + CY = XY.
Again ZBAX = ZAXB (As in AAXB,AB = XB) and
ZABC = ZBAX + ZAXB =2ZAXB = ZLXY
Similarly, ZACB = ZMYX as required.

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 CONsTR TONN
195

Eumple IConstruct atriangle ABC, in which B

= 60, C=45° and AB + BC
+CA= 1| cm.
Consiruction :
Steps of
I. Draw aline scgment PQ: = || cm.(= AB + BC +
CA).
At Pconstruct an angle of 60° and at Q. an angle of 45°,

Fig, I1,9
3. Bisect these angles. Let the bisectors of these
angles intersect at a point A.
4. Draw perpendicular bisectors DE of AP to intersect PO at
B and FG of AQ to
intersect PQat C.
5. Join AB and AC (see Fig. 11.9).
Then, ABC is the required triangle.

EXERCISE I1,2
l. Construct a triangle ABC in which BC=7cm, ZB=75° and AB +
AC= 13 cm.
L Construct atriangle ABC in which BC=8cm, ZB=45° and AB
-AC=3.5 cm.
3. Construct atriangle PQR in which QR= 6cm, ZQ=60° and PR-PQ=
2cm.
4. Construct atriangle XYZ in which Y=30°, L2=90° and XY + YZ + ZX
=ll cm.
S, Construct a right triangle whose base is 12cm and sum of its
side is 18 cm. hypotenuse and other