When constructing a perpendicular bisector, why must the compass opening be greater than 1/2 the length of the segment? I was thinking that it's being cut in half but I really am not sure.

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asked Jan 4, 2019 96.0k views

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When constructing a perpendicular bisector, why must the compass opening be greater than 1/2 the length of the segment?

I was thinking that it's being cut in half but I really am not sure.

Mathematics
middle-school

Uncaged asked

by Uncaged

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the reason that the compass opening has to be greater than 1/2 of the segment is so it can make arcs.

Acarlow answered Jan 10, 2019

by Acarlow

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