Answer:
See explanation below.
Explanation:
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)
*Note: To draw a perpendicular line through a segment follow the next steps:
- 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.