How to Draw a Perpendicular Line Passing Through a Point

Download Article

Download Article

Using a simple point completely above a horizontal line, it is possible to construct a perpendicular line using a compass (not a protractor). This article will help you construct this perpendicular line using a compass.

Steps Download Article

1. 1

   Draw a copy of the situation onto another piece of paper. You'll need a line, as well as a point separated off from the line.

2. 2

   Locate the point you drew.

3. 3

   Use this point, to construct an arc that can intersect the line in at least two location.

4. 4

   Label the two points of intersection where the arc crosses the line with two different points.

5. 5

   Open the compass even further.

6. 6

   Use each of these two points to construct two other arcs that intersect at a point immediately below the line.

7. 7

   Place a point at their intersection formed.

8. 8

   Draw a line connecting the two non-intersecting points.

Add New Question

• Question

  How many perpendicular can we draw to a line from a given point outside the line?

  

  One.

• Question

  How do I construct a locus point to a triangle where xy=9cm ,yz=7cm and xz=10cm, construct the locus points which are 6cm from y and equidistant to xz and xy.

  

  You mean triangle xyz? Anyway, draw a picture of the thing. Then put your compass on y and draw a circle of radius 6cm. Those points satisfy the first condition. For the second, bisect the angle at x, because points on the angle bisector satisfy the second condition. Since you need both conditions to be true, your locus is the two points where the of the circle and the bisector intersect.

• Question

  What if my external point is on left side and not the center?

  

  It doesn't matter where the external point is. Assuming you have a drawing compass, you would construct the line as shown above.

• Question

  How many perpendiculars can be drawn upon a particular line?

  

  An infinite number of perpendicular lines can be drawn to a particular line. However, only one perpendicular line can be drawn to the line through a given point.

• Question

  If my point is too far off the length of the line, how can I construct it? Will I have to extend the line?

  

  Yes. When we talk about a "line," we usually mean a straight line that extends to infinity in both directions. Anything shorter than that is a "line segment." If you're given a line segment, you can extend it in either direction if necessary to construct a perpendicular to it.

• Question

  Is it compulsory to draw the intersecting arc on the other side of the line? What if the arc is drawn at the same side where the point is?

  

  Yes, it's compulsory. It's not possible to draw an arc on the same side of the line as the center of the arc and still have the arc intersect the line in two places.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

About This Article

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 29,095 times.

Did this article help you?

How to Draw a Perpendicular Line Passing Through a Point

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Construct-a-Perpendicular-Line-to-a-Given-Line-Through-Point-Outside-the-Line

Share this post