Practical Geometry Class 6 Notes Maths

14. Practical Geometry

Basic Constructions:

Ruler, Compass, Divider, Set squares, Protractor.

The tools in our geometry box are:
• Ruler
• Compass
• Divider
• Set squares
• Protractor

The description of each tool and its uses are given below:

Ruler:
A ruler is a flat and straight-edged strip, whose one side is graduated into centimetres and the other into inches. A ruler is commonly called a scale. It is the most essential tool in geometry. It is used in all constructions.

The basic uses of a ruler are:

• Measuring lengths of line segments.
• Drawing line segments.

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Compass:

A compass has two ends. One end holds a pointer, while the other end holds a pencil. It is also called a pair of compasses.
The basic uses of a compass are:

• Marking off equal lengths.
• Drawing arcs.
• Drawing circles.

Divider:

A divider is a tool similar in shape to a compass. It has a pair of pointer ends.

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The basic uses of a divider are:

• Comparing lengths of line segments.
• Helping avoid positioning errors.
• Taking accurate measurements.

Set squares:

The two triangular tools in the geometry box are called set squares. One of the set square is an isosceles triangle with two angles measuring 45° each. The other set square is a scalene triangle with two angles measuring 30 °and 60° each. The two perpendicular sides of either set square are graduated into centimetres.

The basic uses of set squares are:

• Drawing perpendicular lines.
• Drawing parallel lines.

Protractor:

A semi-circular tool with degrees marked is called a protractor. The centre of the semicircle is called the midpoint of the protractor. This point helps as a reference point for the protractor. The horizontal line is called the base line or the straight edge of the protractor.

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The basic uses of a protractor are:

• Measuring angles.
• Drawing angles.

The important points to be remembered while using the tools for construction are:

• Draw smooth and thin lines.
• Mark points lightly.
• Maintain tools or instruments with sharp pointers and fine edges.
• Keep two pencils in the box. One is for drawing lines and marking points. The other is for using in the compass.

Construction of Lines:

Steps to construct a line segment of length 5 cm

Steps to construct a line segment of length 5 cm:

Draw line 1.
Mark a point on line l and name it P.
Open the compass to measure the length of the line segment by placing the pointer on the 0 mark of the ruler and the pencil point on the 5 cm mark.
Place tlie pointer of the compass on point P.
Swing an arc oil tlie line to cut it at Q.
is the required line segment of length 5 cm.

Two lines are said to be perpendicular when they intersect each other at an angle of 90o.

The perpendicular bisector is a perpendicular line that bisects another line into two equal parts.

Constructing of Angles

An exact copy of a line segment can be constructed using a ruler and a compass.

An exact copy of a line segment can be constructed using a ruler and a compass.

To construct a copy of an angle:
• Draw a line AB.
• Mark any point O on AB.

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• Place the compass pointer at vertex X of the given figure and draw an arc with a convenient radius, cutting rays XY and XZ at points E and F, respectively.
• Without changing the compass settings, draw an arc on line AB from point O. It cuts line AB at P.
• Set the compass to length EF.
• Without changing the compass settings, draw an arc from P cutting the previous arc at point Q.
• Join points O and Q.
• Hence, ∠POQ is the required copy of ∠YXZ

To construct the bisector of an angle:

Let the given angle be LMN.
Place the compass pointer at vertex M of the given angle.

Draw an arc cutting rays ML and MN at U and V, respectively.

Draw an arc with V as the centre and a radius more than half the length of UV in the interior of ∠LMN.

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Draw another arc with U as the centre and the same radius intersecting the previous arc.

Name the point of intersection of the arcs as X.

Join points M and X.

Thus, the ray MX is the required bisector of ∠LMN

In a similar way, we can construct:
• A 60° angle without using the protractor.
• A 120° angle without using the protractor.
• A 90° angle without using the protractor.