Question

Hunter is bisecting the angle shown. When drawing the arcs centered on points P and Q, why must he keep the compass the same width for both arcs?

If Hunter adjusts the width of the compass between drawing the first and second arc, it will be impossible for both arcs to be drawn in the interior of the angle. <-- MY ANSWER


If Hunter adjusts the width of the compass between drawing the first and second arc, it will be impossible for the arcs to intersect.


The compass width should not be adjusted at all when bisecting the angle. This means that Hunter should keep the compass at the same width as when he drew the arc through P and Q.


The arcs are drawn to find a point on the bisecting ray. If the arcs are the same width, it makes sure that they are equidistant from the points on the rays of the angle. This causes the point to be on the bisecting ray.


thanks!

Answer 1

The arcs are drawn to find a point on the bisecting ray. If the arcs are the same width, it makes sure that they are equidistant from the points on the rays of the angle. This causes the point to be on the bisecting ray.

Explanation:

Bisection of an angle implies dividing the angle into two equal parts. The ray that divides the angle is called a bisector.

The hunter should use the same radius or width to draw the two arcs, using points P and Q as the center interchangeably, so that they would intersect at an equidistant point to P and Q. The point of intersection lies on the bisecting ray of the angle.