Chapter-1

lesson-2
INTRODUCTION TO
GEOMETRIC CONSTRUCTIN

By Mohamed k.
Techniques of Geometric constructions
To construct the different types of geometric
figures, such as lines, arcs or circles, angles,
triangles, squares, polygons, ellipses, etc.
we have to know some principles and
procedures of geometric construction.
Thus, this chapter is devoted to illustrate step-
by-step geometric construction procedures used
by drafters and technicians to develop various
geometric forms.
 To Bisect a Line or arc
1. Swing two arcs of any radius greater than half-length of
the line with the centers at the ends of the line.
2. Join the intersection points of the arcs with a line.

3. Locate the midpoint.

Given A

A r1
r1

B
B

(not to scale)
 To Bisect an Angle
1. Swing an arc of any radius whose centers at the vertex.

2. Swing the arcs of any radius from the intersection

points between the previous arc and the lines.
3. Draw the line.
A
(not to scale)

Given
A
B
r1 r2
B
r2
C C
To divide a straight line into any number of equal parts:
1.Draw a line AB
2.At B draw a line BD perpendicular to AB.
3.Hold one end of the scale such that nine parts of unit length,
coincides with the line BD at point C.
4.Join AC and mark the nine parts on it.
5.Draw from these measured points lines parallel to BD; then
line AB will be divided into nine equal parts.
To draw the line parallel to a given line
and passes through a given point
Given

C
+
To draw the line parallel to a given line and
passes through a given point

Given

C
+

Repeat
To draw the line parallel to a given line
with a specified distance
Given distance = r

r
To draw the line parallel to a given line
with a specified distance
Given distance = r

Repeat
How to Draw a Line Parallel to a Curved Line at a Given
Distance
Given: Curved line A-B, and a required distance r
Step 1: Set the compass at the required distance to the parallel line. Starting
from either end of the curved line, place the point of the compass on the given
line, and swing a series of light arcs along the given line.
Step 2: using an irregular curve or French curve, draw a line along the extreme
high points of the arcs.
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point
Revolve method

C
+
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point on the line
Revolve method

C
+

Repeat
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point
Adjacent-sides method

C
+
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point on the line
Adjacent-sides method

C
+

Repeat
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point
Using Compass

+
C
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point on the line
Using Compass

r2
D
r2
A r1

+
C
r2 > r 1
B

Repeat
To draw a line perpendicular to a line at a given point on the line
Given: Line A-B with point P on the same line.
Step 1: Using P as a center, make two arcs of equal radius or more continuous arc
(R1) to intercept line A-B on either side of point P, at points S and T.
Step 2: Swing larger but equal arcs (R2) from each of points S and T to cross each
other at point U.
Step 3: A line from P to U is perpendicular to line A-B at point P
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line from a point not on the line
Adjacent-sides method

C
+
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line from a point not on the line
Adjacent-sides method

C
+

Repeat
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line from a point not on the line
Using compass
C
+
 To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line from a point not on the line
Using compass
C
r2 +
D

r2

A
r1

B
Note:
You can also use revolve method. How ? Try by yourself !!!
Repeat
How to Draw a line Perpendicular to a line from a Point
Not on the Line
Given: Line A-B and point P
Step 1: Using P as a center, swing an arc (R1) to intercept line A-B at points G and
H.
Step 2: Swing larger, but equal length arcs (R2) from each of the points G and H to
intercept each other at point J.
Step 3: Line P-J is perpendicular to line A-B
To draw a line tangent to a circle at a
point on the circle
Given

C
To Draw a Tangent to A Circle through a Point
Given: Point P on the circle.
Move the T-square and triangle as a unit until one side of the triangle
passes through the point P and the center of the circle; then slide the
triangle until the other side passes through point P, and draw the
required tangent
To draw a line tangent to a circle from
a point outside the circle
Given
mark a tangent point

C
To draw a line tangent to a circle from a point
outside the circle
Move the T-square and triangles as a unit until one side of the triangle
passes through point P and, by inspection, is the tangent to the circle; and
then slide the triangle until the other side passes through the center of the
circle, and lightly mark the point of tangency T. finally move the triangle
back to its starting position and draw the required tangent.
 To Draw Tangents to Two Circles
Move the T-square and triangles as a unit until one side of the triangle is tangent, by
inspection, to the two circles; then slide the triangle until the other side passes
through the center of one circle, and lightly mark the point of tangency. Then slide
the triangle until the side passes through the center of the other circle, and mark the
point of tangency. Finally slide the triangle back to the tangent position, and draw the
tangent lines between the two points of tangency. Draw the second tangent line in
similar manner.
To draw an arc of given radius tangent
to two lines
Given arc radius r
r
r
+
+
To draw an arc of given radius tangent
to two lines
Given arc radius r

T.P.1
T.P.2
HOW TO CONSTRUCT AN ARC TANGENT TO AN ANGLE

Given: A right angle, lines A and B and a required radius.

Step 1: Set the compass at the required radius and, out of the way,
swing a radius from line A and one from line B.
Step 2: From the extreme high points of each radius, construct a light
line parallel to line A and another line parallel to line B.
Step 3: Where these lines intersect is the exact location of the
required swing point. Set the compass point on the swing point and
lightly construct the required radius.
Allow the radius swing to extend past the required area. It is
important to locate all tangent points (T.P) before darkening in.
Step 4: Check all work and darken in the radius using the correct line
thickness. Darken in connecting straight lines as required. Always
construct compass work first, followed by straight lines. Leave all
light construction lines.
Constructing arcs tangent to two lines
Constructing arcs tangent to two lines
To draw an arc of given radius tangent
to two perpendicular lines
Given arc radius r
center of the arc

Starting point

Ending point
To draw a circle tangent to two circles I
Given C
+

+ +
C1 C2

Example
To draw a circle tangent to two circles I
Given Two circles and the radius of the third circle = R

+ +
C C2
1
To draw a circle tangent to two circles I
Given Two circles and the radius of the third circle = R

center of the arc R + R2

R + R1 C
R
R2
R1

+ +
C C2
1

Repeat
How to Construct an Arc Tangent to Two Radii or Diameters
Given: Diameter A and arc B with center points located, and the required
radius.
Step 1: Set the compass at the required radius and, out of the way, swing a
radius of the required length from a point on the circumference of given
diameter A. Out of the way, swing a required radius from a point on the
circumference of a given arc B.
Step 2: From the extreme high points of each radius, construct a light radius
outside of the given radii A and B.
Step 3: Where these arcs intersect is the exact location of the required swing
point. Set the compass point on the swing point and lightly construct the
required radius.
Allow the radius swing to extend past the required area.
Step 4: Check all work; darken in the radii using the correct line thickness.
Darken in the arcs or radii in consecutive order from left to right or from
right to left, thus constructing a smooth connecting line having no apparent
change in direction.
To draw a circle tangent to two circles II
Given

+ +
C1 C2

C+

Example: application
To draw a circle tangent to two circles II
Given Two circles and the radius of the third circle = R

+ +C
C1
2
To draw a circle tangent to two circles II
Given Two circles and the radius of the third circle = R

R
R2
R1
+ +C
C1
2

R – R1 C R – R2

Repeat
To draw a circle tangent to two circles III
Given Two circles and the radius of the third circle = R

R2
R1
C1 + +C2

R – R1

C R + R2
• Constructing an arc tangent to a line and another
arc
 To draw An Ellipse
1.Draw AB(major diameter) and CD(minor diameter) to
intersect at O and join A and C.
2. With R=OC and center O, draw an arc to intersect AO at E.
3.Use R=AE and center C, draw an arc to intersect AC at F.
4.Bisect AF to intersect AO at G and CD produced at H.
5.Make OJ=OH and OK=OG to give two more centers.
6.Join JG, HK and JK
7.With centers H, J, G and K and radii HC, JD, GA and KB
respectively, describe arcs to form the ellipse.
8.The tangent points of the four arcs are at points 1,2,3 and 4
 To draw an approximate ellipse
Given Major and minor axes

Repeat
To Draw an Ellipse (By Four-Centered Method)
Join 1 and 3, layoff 3-5 equal to 01-03. This is done graphically as indicated in the
fig. Below by swinging 1 around to 5 with O as center where now 03 from 05 is 3-5;
the required distance. With 3 as center, an arc from 5 to the diagonal 1-3 locates 6.
Bisect 1-6 by a perpendicular crossing
0-1 at 9 and intersecting 0-4 produced (if necessary) at 10.
Make 0-9’ equal to 0-9, and 0-10’ equal to 0-10. Then 9, 9’,
10, and 10’ will be centers for four tangent circle arcs forming a curve approximating
the shape of an ellipse.
1. How to Draw a Triangle with Known Lengths of Sides
Given: lengths 1, 2, and 3.
Step 1: Draw the longest length line, in this example length 3, with ends A and B.
Swing an arc (R1) from point A whose radius is either length 1 or length 2; in this
example length 1.
Step 2; using the radius length not used in step 1, swing an arc (R2) from point B to
intercept the arc swung from point A at point
Step 3: Connect A to C and B to C to complete the triangle
2. How to Draw a Square
Method-1
Given: The locations of center and the required distance across the sides of a square.
Step 1: Lightly draw a circle with a diameter equal to the distance around the sides of
the square. Set the compass at half the required diameter.
Step 2: Using triangles, lightly complete the square by constructing tangent lines to
the circle. Allow the light construction lines to project from the square, without
erasing them.
Step 3: Check to see that there are four equal sides and, if so, darken in the actual
square using the correct line thickness.
Method-2
Given one side AB. Through point A, draw a perpendicular.
With A as a center, and AB as radius; draw the arc to intersect the
perpendicular at C. With B and C as centers, and AB as radius, strike
arcs to intersect at D. Draw line CD and BD.
 POLYGONS
5. To Draw pentagon(5 sides)
Method :
Step 1: With O as center draw a circle
Step 2 Bisect radius OD at C.
Step 3 : With C as center, and CA as radius, strike arc AE. With A as
center, and AE as radius, strike arc EB.
Step 4 : Draw line AB, then set off distances AB around the
circumference of the circle.
A

B
E C D
O
 6. To Draw Hexagon(6)
Method 1: the diameter of a circle s given
Step 1. With center o and radius R draw the given circle.
Step 2. Draw a horizontal line AD in the circle.
Step 3. With centers A and D and radius equal to the radius
of the circle draw arcs intersecting the circles at B, F, C and
E respectively.
Step 4. Connect A-B-C-D-E&F to get hexagon
F

A D
O

B C
Method 2: from given circle
1. With canter 0 and radius R draw the given circle.
2. Draw any diameter AD to the circle.
3. Using 30° - 60° set-square and through the point A draw lines AI, A2 at an angle
60° with AD, intersecting the circle at B and F respectively.
4. Using 30° - 60° and through the point D draw lines Dl, D2 at an angle 60° with
DA, intersecting the circle at C and E respectively. By joining A,B,C,D,E,F, and A
the required hexagon is obtained.
Method 3: one side AB is given
1. Draw a line AB equal to the side of the hexagon.
2. with centers A and B and radius AB, draw arcs intersecting at O, the
center of the hexagon.
3. With centers O and B and radius OB (=AB) draw arcs intersecting at
C.
4. Obtain points D, E and F in a similar manner.
 
Method 4: To construct hexagon given the distance across flats:
Draw a circle with the given distance across flats as diameter.
Draw tangents 1 and 2 at the top and bottom of the circle using T-
square.
Keeping the T-square horizontal and supporting the 30/60 set square as
shown in the figure, draw two tangents 3 and 4.
Reverse the setsquare and draw tangents 5 and 6 to get the hexagon
 7. How to draw heptagon (7sides)
Step 1. Draw a line AB equal in length to one of the sides and produce AB to P.
Step 2. Calculate the exterior angle of the polygon by dividing 360 ° by the
number of sides. In this case the exterior angle is 360° /7= 51 .428 ° .
Step 3. Draw the exterior angle PBC so that BC=AB.
Step 4. Bisect AB and BC to intersect in O.
Step 5. Draw a circle, center O and radius OA (OB= OC).
Step 6. Step off the sides of the figure from C to D, D to E, etc.
 8. How to draw octagon (8 sides)
Method 1
1. Draw the circle and insert a diameter AE.
2. Construct another diagonal CG, perpendicular to the first diameter.
3. Bisect the four quadrants thus produced to cut the circle in B, D, F and H.
ABCDEFGH is the required octagon
Method 2
1. Construct a square PQRS, length of side equal to the diameter.
2. Draw the diagonals SQ and PR to intersect in T.
3.With centers P, Q, R and S draw four arcs, radius PT ( QT RT ST) to cut
the square in A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H.
 9. To Draw Any Sided Regular Polygon
It is used to construct a regular figure of given side length and of N sides on a straight
line.
Step 1. Draw the given straight line AB.
Step 2. At B erect a perpendicular BC equal in length to AB.
Step 3. Join AC and where it cuts the perpendicular bisector of AB, number the point 4.
step 4. Complete the square ABCD of which AC is the diagonal.
Step 5. With radius AB and center B describe arc AC as shown.
Step 6. Where this arc cuts the vertical center line number the point 6.
Step 7. This is the center of a circle inside which a hexagon of side AB can now be drawn.
Step 8. Bisect the distance 4-6 on the vertical center line.
Step 9. Mark this bisection 5. This is the center in which a regular pentagon of side AB
can now be drawn.
Step 10. On the vertical center line step off from point 6 a distance equal in length to the
distance step 5-6. This is the center of a circle in which a regular heptagon of side
AB can now be drawn.
Step 11. If further distances 5-6 are now stepped off along the vertical center line and are
numbered consecutively, each will be the center of a circle in which a regular polygon can
be inscribed with side of length AB and with a number of sides denoted by the number
against the center.
9
8
7 For heptagon
6
5
4