From a sketch to the compass ; Geometric construction

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the geometric construction of points D and E in relation to a triangle, specifically to form a trapezium ACDE using only a straight edge and a compass. Participants explore the properties of triangle ACD and the relationships between angles and sides, as well as the methods for constructing the required points.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that triangle ACD is isosceles, with DA = DC and angles DAC = DCA.
  • There is a suggestion that triangle ACM may have a 60-degree angle, but this is presented as a guess.
  • Participants discuss the concept of congruence in triangles, specifically triangles ABC and MBC, and how this affects the angles in triangle ACD.
  • It is proposed that the angle at C is divided into two equal angles, leading to the conclusion that angle DAC and angle DCA are both 30 degrees.
  • One participant suggests a method to construct point D by copying the angle DCA at angle BAC and drawing a line through point A.
  • Another participant raises a concern about copying angles with a straight edge and compass, suggesting alternative methods such as dividing line segments and using trigonometry to find lengths BD and BE.
  • There is a proposal to construct a line parallel to CA through point D to find the location of point E, ensuring that ACDE forms a trapezium.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints regarding the construction methods and properties of the triangles involved. There is no clear consensus on the best approach to construct points D and E or on the angle measures, indicating that multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the properties of triangles and the methods of construction are not fully resolved, particularly regarding the use of trigonometry and the limitations of the tools specified (straight edge and compass).

mathlearn
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In the traingle ABC, AB = 4.5cm , Ac = 9cm & angle ABC=90; The point D is located on BC such that DA = DC ;

Using only a straight edge with a cm/mm scale and a compass, construct an accurate diagram

Obtain the location of point E on side AB such that ACDE is a trapezium .

This is a rough sketch, (Happy)

View attachment 5924

Now apart from constructing the triangle can you help me to located the point D & Obtain the location of point E on side AB such that ACDE is a trapezium ,only using an straight edge and a compass. (Crying)
 

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mathlearn said:
In the traingle ABC, AB = 4.5cm , Ac = 9cm & angle ABC=90; The point D is located on BC such that DA = DC ;

Using only a straight edge with a cm/mm scale and a compass, construct an accurate diagram

Obtain the location of point E on side AB such that ACDE is a trapezium .

This is a rough sketch, (Happy)
Now apart from constructing the triangle can you help me to located the point D & Obtain the location of point E on side AB such that ACDE is a trapezium ,only using an straight edge and a compass. (Crying)

Hey mathlearn! ;)

What can we say about triangle ACD?
What about its angles and sides?
 
I like Serena said:
Hey mathlearn! ;)

What can we say about triangle ACD?
What about its angles and sides?

(Nod)DA = DC $$\therefore$$ It is an isosceles triangle.

(Happy) $$\angle DAC$$ = $$\angle DCA$$
 
mathlearn said:
(Nod)DA = DC $$\therefore$$ It is an isosceles triangle.

(Happy) $$\angle DAC$$ = $$\angle DCA$$

Good! (Nod)

How about triangle ACM?
 
I like Serena said:
Good! (Nod)

How about triangle ACM?
(Nod)(Thinking) It's a 60 degree I guess.
 
Last edited:
mathlearn said:
(Nod)(Thinking) It's a 60 degree I guess.

Well, we'll have to get rid of the guessing, and also consider how to move forward. (Sweating)

Have you heard of congruence of triangles?
It means that they're the same, just positioned differently.

In particular triangles $\Delta ABC$ and $\Delta MBC$ are congruent.
Can you tell why?

Moreover, since that is the case, the angle at $C$ is divided into 2 equal angles.
So we can say something about the angles in triangle $\Delta ACD$! (Happy)
 
I like Serena said:
Well, we'll have to get rid of the guessing, and also consider how to move forward. (Sweating)

Have you heard of congruence of triangles?
It means that they're the same, just positioned differently.

In particular triangles $\Delta ABC$ and $\Delta MBC$ are congruent.
Can you tell why?

(Happy)

(Nod) $\Delta ABC$ $$\cong$$ $\Delta MBC$ (SAS)

$$CB=CB$$ (Common side)
$$\angle CBA= \angle CBM$$ (CB perpendicular side AM)
$$AB=BM$$ (data)

I like Serena said:
Moreover, since that is the case, the angle at $C$ is divided into 2 equal angles.
So we can say something about the angles in triangle $\Delta ACD$! (Happy)

$$\triangle ABC$$ is half an equilateral triangle

(Nod) As one angle of an equilateral triangle is $60^\circ$; $$\therefore$$ the angle at C is $30^\circ$

$\displaystyle \angle DAC = \displaystyle \angle DCA $So now as the problem states only to construct $\triangle BAC$ , From there I guess what you have to do is copy the angle $\angle DCA$ which is a $30^\circ$ at $\angle BAC$ and to draw a line through point A or the bisecting line of the angle. The point It meets the side BC is named D. Correct? (Thinking)

If so now to move on to constructing point E such that ACED is a trapezium (Sweating)(Crying)
 
Last edited:
mathlearn said:
(Nod) $\Delta ABC$ $$\cong$$ $\Delta MBC$ (SAS)

$$CB=CB$$ (Common side)
$$\angle CBA= \angle CBM$$ (CB perpendicular side AM)
$$AB=BM$$ (data)
$$\triangle ABC$$ is half an equilateral triangle

(Nod) As one angle of an equilateral triangle is $60^\circ$; $$\therefore$$ the angle at C is $30^\circ$

$\displaystyle \angle DAC = \displaystyle \angle DCA $So now as the problem states only to construct $\triangle BAC$ , From there I guess what you have to do is copy the angle $\angle DCA$ which is a $30^\circ$ at $\angle BAC$ and to draw a line through point A or the bisecting line of the angle. The point It meets the side BC is named D. Correct? (Thinking)

Good! (Nod)

However, I'm afraid that with a straight edge with a scale, and a compass, we can't just copy an angle. (Worried)
Instead we can do this in 2 ways.

With the compass we can divide any line segment into 2 equal parts, and draw a line perpendicular through it.
We can do this with $CM$ to find the line $AD$.

Alternatively, we can use trigonometry (sines, cosines, and tangents) to calculate $BD$ and measure it.
If so now to move on to constructing point E such that ACED is a trapezium (Sweating)(Crying)

Simplest is to use trigonometry to calculate $BE$...
 
I like Serena said:
Good! (Nod)

However, I'm afraid that with a straight edge with a scale, and a compass, we can't just copy an angle. (Worried)
Instead we can do this in 2 ways.

With the compass we can divide any line segment into 2 equal parts, and draw a line perpendicular through it.
We can do this with $CM$ to find the line $AD$.

Alternatively, we can use trigonometry (sines, cosines, and tangents) to calculate $BD$ and measure it.

Simplest is to use trigonometry to calculate $BE$...

(Nod) Thank you .

Now to Find the location of point E Such that ACDE is a trapezium a line parallel to CA through the point D should be constructed. Correct ? (Thinking)
 

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