Math Is Fun Forum

abzyxxel0123

Guest

geometry problem

problem:
construct a square(ABCD) given one of its points(A) and two other points, P on the BC segment, and PQ on the CD segment...
Help!!!
i know the three points i'm looking for lay on circles with sources in the midpoints of the triangle APQ but i kinda can't get any further...

John E. Franklin

Member

Registered: 2005-08-29

Posts: 3,588

Re: geometry problem

I figured it out while listening to Glenn Miller's orchestra because
my parents are listening to it.
There's something you must know to do it:
Given 2 points, if you want a right triangle, with the right
angle between the points sort of, and the hypotenuse is
the connection straight line between the two points, then
I was taught with a picture that it is a semicircle, so
find the midpoint of P and Q and draw a circle with a
compass.  Next, you want the right angle to be on the
opposite side from A, it is C, so draw a straight line
with a ruler from A thru the midpoint of P and Q, until
the line hits the semicircle, and that is your point C
on the corner of the square!!
Took me a while to get it.
Hope that helps.

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igloo myrtilles fourmis