How Do You Construct A Line Segment

Construction Of A Line Segment

To draw a line segment of a given length

We can draw a line segment of a given length in two ways:
(a) By using a scale
(b) By using a pair of compasses

Construction: Draw a line segment of length 5.5 cm.

(a) By using a scale

  • Step 1: Mark a point in your notebook and label it as A.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment
  • Step 2: Place the scale in such a way that the zero (0) mark on the scale coincides with A.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-1
  • Step 3: How, move the sharp end of the pencil along the edge of the scale till it reaches the point 5.5 cm of the scale,
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-2
  • Step 4: Label the second end as B.
    AB is the required line segment.
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(b) By using a pair of compasses

  • Steps 1: Draw a line l and mark a point A on it.
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  • Step 2: Open the arms of the compass so that the end points of the two open arms equal to 5.5 cm.
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  • Step 3: Without disturbing the opening of the compasses, place its needle at point A and draw an arc to cut the line l at point B.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-6
  • Step 4: AB is the required line segment of length 5.5 cm.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-7

To draw a line segment equal to a given line segment

Construction: Draw a line segment (AB) equal to PQ.
Given: A line segment PQ.
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  • Step 1: Draw a line l. Mark a point A on it.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-9
  • Step 2: Take the compass and measure PQ.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-10
  • Step 3: Without disturbing the opening, place the needle of the compass at point A on line l and draw an arc, which cuts the line at point B.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-11
  • Step 4: AB is the required line segment which is equal to the length of PQ, i.e., AB = PQ.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-12

Construction: Draw a line segment whose length is the sum of the lengths of two given line segments.
Given: Two line segments AB and BC.
Construct a line segment, say AC, such that
AC = AB + BC.
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  • Step 1: Draw a line l and mark point A on it.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-14
  • Step 2: Take the compasses and measure AB.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-15
  • Step 3: Without disturbing the opening, place its needle at A and draw an arc cutting line l at B.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-16
  • Step 4: Again adjust the compasses and measure the line segment BC.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-17
  • Step 5: Without disturbing the opening, place the pointer at point B on the line l and draw an arc cutting the line l at C.
    Construction-of-Line-Segment-18
  • Step 6: AC is the required line segment whose length is equal to the sum of the lengths of line segments AB and BC, i. e., AC = AB + BC.