Create a Perpendicular Bisector/Bisect a Line Segment
Recall that to "bisect" something is to split it into two congruent pieces. In order to bisect a line segment, we must create its perpendicular bisector. This is a line or line segment which splits the original segment into two congruent pieces AND is perpendicular to the original line segment.
1) Draw a circle centered at A with radius AB by choosing the Compass tool
, then clicking A, then B, then A again.
2) Draw a circle centered at B with radius AB by clicking A, then B, then B again.
3) Use the Intersect tool
to create points where the two circles meet by clicking one circle and then the other. NOTE: There are TWO intersection points.
4) Use the Line tool
to draw the perpendicular bisector connecting those two points.
5) The midpoint of AB is the intersection of AB and the line you just made. Mark the midpoint.
6) You can verify that the lines are perpendicular by using the Angle Measure tool
. Click point B, then M, then the intersection point above the original segment. This should be 90 degrees.
7) You can verify that AB is bisected by using the Segment Measure tool
.
, then clicking A, then B, then A again.
2) Draw a circle centered at B with radius AB by clicking A, then B, then B again.
3) Use the Intersect tool to create points where the two circles meet by clicking one circle and then the other. NOTE: There are TWO intersection points.
4) Use the Line tool to draw the perpendicular bisector connecting those two points.
5) The midpoint of AB is the intersection of AB and the line you just made. Mark the midpoint.
6) You can verify that the lines are perpendicular by using the Angle Measure tool. Click point B, then M, then the intersection point above the original segment. This should be 90 degrees.
7) You can verify that AB is bisected by using the Segment Measure tool.