{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-12-01T03:03:15+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-12-01T03:03:15+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:16:39+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":"Construct the Perpendicular Bisector of a Segment Using a Compass","strippedTitle":"construct the perpendicular bisector of a segment using a compass","slug":"construct-perpendicular-bisector-segment-using-compass","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"To construct a perpendicular bisector of a segment, you use your compass to locate two points that are each equidistant from the segment's endpoints and then fi","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"To construct a perpendicular bisector of a segment, you use your compass to locate two points that are each equidistant from the segment's endpoints and then finish with your straightedge. The following example shows you how it's done.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/GEOM-3E_0049_01.gif\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-229790 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/GEOM-3E_0049_01.gif\" alt=\"geometry-bisector\" width=\"331\" height=\"55\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThis figure should help as you work through the construction process:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_229616\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119181552-fg2011.gif\"><img class=\"wp-image-229616 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119181552-fg2011.gif\" alt=\"geometry-perpendicular-bisector\" width=\"400\" height=\"243\" /></a> Constructing a perpendicular bisector.[/caption]\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><strong>Open your compass to any radius <em>r</em> that's more than half the length of segment <em>CD,</em> and construct arc (<em>C</em>, <em>r</em>).</strong></li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Construct arc (<em>D</em>, <em>r</em>) intersecting arc (<em>C</em>, <em>r</em>) at points <em>G</em> and <em>H.</em></strong></li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Draw line <em>GH</em>.</strong> You're done: line <em>GH</em> is the perpendicular bisector of segment <em>CD</em>.</li>\r\n</ol>","description":"To construct a perpendicular bisector of a segment, you use your compass to locate two points that are each equidistant from the segment's endpoints and then finish with your straightedge. The following example shows you how it's done.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/GEOM-3E_0049_01.gif\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-229790 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/GEOM-3E_0049_01.gif\" alt=\"geometry-bisector\" width=\"331\" height=\"55\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThis figure should help as you work through the construction process:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_229616\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]<a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119181552-fg2011.gif\"><img class=\"wp-image-229616 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/9781119181552-fg2011.gif\" alt=\"geometry-perpendicular-bisector\" width=\"400\" height=\"243\" /></a> Constructing a perpendicular bisector.[/caption]\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><strong>Open your compass to any radius <em>r</em> that's more than half the length of segment <em>CD,</em> and construct arc (<em>C</em>, <em>r</em>).</strong></li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Construct arc (<em>D</em>, <em>r</em>) intersecting arc (<em>C</em>, <em>r</em>) at points <em>G</em> and <em>H.</em></strong></li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Draw line <em>GH</em>.</strong> You're done: line <em>GH</em> is the perpendicular bisector of segment <em>CD</em>.</li>\r\n</ol>","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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Construct the Perpendicular Bisector of a Segment Using a Compass

By: Mark Ryan and

Updated: 12-01-2016

From The Book: Geometry For Dummies

Geometry For Dummies

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To construct a perpendicular bisector of a segment, you use your compass to locate two points that are each equidistant from the segment's endpoints and then finish with your straightedge. The following example shows you how it's done.

This figure should help as you work through the construction process:

Constructing a perpendicular bisector.

Open your compass to any radius r that's more than half the length of segment CD, and construct arc (C, r).
Construct arc (D, r) intersecting arc (C, r) at points G and H.
Draw line GH. You're done: line GH is the perpendicular bisector of segment CD.

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.

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Geometry ,

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