Question

Suppose you are building a patio and you want to make certain sides of your patio meet at right angles. What should you do to ensure this?

1) Use a protractor to measure the angles
2) Use a level to check for right angles
3) Use a compass to draw right angles
4) Use a tape measure to measure the sides

Answer 1

To ensure right angles when building a patio, use a protractor to measure and verify that the angles are precisely 90 degrees. While measuring tapes are used for lengths, and levels for flatness, the protractor is the correct tool for angle measurement.

Step-by-step explanation:

To ensure that the sides of your patio meet at right angles, the best tool to use is a protractor. Using a protractor allows for precise measurement of angles to confirm they are exactly 90 degrees. Although a measuring tape is essential for measuring lengths and ensuring that the sides are straight, it cannot determine the angle. A level is used for determining flatness, not angles, and a compass is used to draw circles and arcs rather than measuring angles. Here are the steps you might follow to ensure right angles:

1. Position the protractor at the corner where the two sides meet.
2. Ensure the base of the protractor is aligned with one side of the patio.
3. Look at the protractor’s scale to check that the other side of the patio intersects at the 90-degree mark on the protractor.

Remember that for more than simple checks, precision tools like a builder's square or a theodolite may be used by professionals to maintain accurate right angles over larger areas.