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Construct the bisector of an angle of 40°

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Constructions with a ruler and compasses · Geometry

Step by step

The question

Question: construct the bisector of an angle of 40°.

bisect an angle of 40°

1 Draw the angle

Draw the two lines meeting at V, with 40° between them.

2 Arc from the corner

From the corner V, draw an arc that cuts both lines, at P and Q.

3 Arcs from P and Q

With the same opening from P and from Q, draw two arcs.

They cross at R.

Careful!

Keep the compass the same for both arcs.

Then R is the same distance from both lines.

Careful: same opening from P and from Q

4 Join V and R

Join V to R with a ruler, and go on.

This line cuts the angle in half: 20° and 20°.

5 Check

Let's check with a protractor: both halves are 20°.

So it is right!

20° + 20° = 40°

Let's look back.

First: draw the angle.

Then: arc from the corner.

Then: arcs from P and Q.

Then: join V and R.

Last: check.

Answer
bisect an angle of 40°

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

bisect an angle of 38°
Show the answer
bisector: 19° and 19°

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