{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-12-08T04:56:45+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-12-08T04:56:45+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:16:42+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Math","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33720"},"slug":"math","categoryId":33720},{"name":"Geometry","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33725"},"slug":"geometry","categoryId":33725}],"title":"How to Copy a Line Segment Using a Compass","strippedTitle":"how to copy a line segment using a compass","slug":"copy-line-segment-using-compass","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"The key to copying a given line segment is to open your compass to the length of the segment; then, using that amount of opening, you can mark off another segme","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"The key to copying a given line segment is to open your compass to the length of the segment; then, using that amount of opening, you can mark off another segment of the same length.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/GEOM-3E_0045_01.gif\"><img class=\"alignnone wp-image-230073 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/GEOM-3E_0045_01.gif\" alt=\"geometry-compass-segment\" width=\"307\" height=\"53\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHere's the proof diagram.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_229612\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119181552-fg2007.gif\"><img class=\"wp-image-229612 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119181552-fg2007.gif\" alt=\"geometry-copying-segment\" width=\"400\" height=\"263\" /></a> Copying a segment.[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis figure shows the solution; refer to it as you work through the following steps.\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><strong>Using your straightedge, draw a working line, <em>l</em>, with a point <em>P</em> anywhere on it.</strong></li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Put your compass point on point <em>M</em> and open it to the length of line <em>MN</em>.</strong>\r\nThe best way to make sure you've opened it to just the right amount is to draw a little arc that passes through <em>N.</em> In other words, draw arc (<em>M</em>, <em>MN</em>).</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Being careful not to change the amount of the compass's opening from Step 2, put the compass point on point <em>P</em> and construct arc (<em>P</em>, <em>MN</em>) intersecting line <em>l</em>.</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nYou call this point of intersection point <em>Q,</em> and you're done.","description":"The key to copying a given line segment is to open your compass to the length of the segment; then, using that amount of opening, you can mark off another segment of the same length.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/GEOM-3E_0045_01.gif\"><img class=\"alignnone wp-image-230073 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/GEOM-3E_0045_01.gif\" alt=\"geometry-compass-segment\" width=\"307\" height=\"53\" /></a>\r\n\r\nHere's the proof diagram.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_229612\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119181552-fg2007.gif\"><img class=\"wp-image-229612 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119181552-fg2007.gif\" alt=\"geometry-copying-segment\" width=\"400\" height=\"263\" /></a> Copying a segment.[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis figure shows the solution; refer to it as you work through the following steps.\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><strong>Using your straightedge, draw a working line, <em>l</em>, with a point <em>P</em> anywhere on it.</strong></li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Put your compass point on point <em>M</em> and open it to the length of line <em>MN</em>.</strong>\r\nThe best way to make sure you've opened it to just the right amount is to draw a little arc that passes through <em>N.</em> In other words, draw arc (<em>M</em>, <em>MN</em>).</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Being careful not to change the amount of the compass's opening from Step 2, put the compass point on point <em>P</em> and construct arc (<em>P</em>, <em>MN</em>) intersecting line <em>l</em>.</strong></li>\r\n</ol>\r\nYou call this point of intersection point <em>Q,</em> and you're done.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":8957,"name":"Mark Ryan","slug":"mark-ryan","description":" <p><b>Mark Ryan</b> has taught pre-algebra through calculus for more than 25 years. 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How to Copy a Line Segment Using a Compass

By: Mark Ryan and

Updated: 12-08-2016

From The Book: Geometry For Dummies

Geometry For Dummies

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The key to copying a given line segment is to open your compass to the length of the segment; then, using that amount of opening, you can mark off another segment of the same length.

Here's the proof diagram.

Copying a segment.

This figure shows the solution; refer to it as you work through the following steps.

Using your straightedge, draw a working line, l, with a point P anywhere on it.
Put your compass point on point M and open it to the length of line MN. The best way to make sure you've opened it to just the right amount is to draw a little arc that passes through N. In other words, draw arc (M, MN).
Being careful not to change the amount of the compass's opening from Step 2, put the compass point on point P and construct arc (P, MN) intersecting line l.

You call this point of intersection point Q, and you're done.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Geometry For Dummies ,

About the book author:

Mark Ryan is the founder and owner of The Math Center in the Chicago area, where he provides tutoring in all math subjects as well as test preparation. Mark is the author of Calculus For Dummies, Calculus Workbook For Dummies, and Geometry Workbook For Dummies.

This article can be found in the category:

Geometry ,

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