The compasses are opened to a little more than half the length of the line - this distance is kept throughout the construction. The compass point is placed first on one end of the line and then on the other, and arcs drawn to meet above and below the line. A perpendicular line can be drawn through the meeting points:

The line CD bisects the line AB at right angles.

Construction of parallel lines a specified distance apart

The required distance is measured (A) and point P marked anywhere on the line. The compasses are opened to the length AP - this distance is kept throughout the construction. With the compass point placed on P, an arc is drawn to cut the line (point Q). Then with the compass point first on Q and then on A, two arcs are drawn to cross at a point. The line drawn through A and the meeting point is parallel to the original line:

Construction of the bisector of any angle

The compasses are opened to a length less than that of either arm of the angle - this distance is kept throughout the construction. With the compass point on the point of the angle, arcs are drawn to cut each arm (points A and B). Then with the compass point first on A and then on B, two arcs are drawn to cross at a point. The line drawn from this meeting point to the point of the angle cuts the original angle into two equal angles:

Constructing triangles

Triangles may be constructed from a variety of given measurements using a ruler, compass, and protractor.

Given three sides (SSS): triangle ABC can be constructed knowing that AB = 8 cm, BC = 7 cm, and AC = 6 cm.

First AB is drawn, 8 cm long. Then with the compasses centred on A, radius 6 cm, an arc is drawn. The compasses are extended to 7 cm and, centring on B, another arc is drawn to cross through the first arc at C. AC and BC are then joined to create the triangle ABC:

Given one side and two angles (ASA): triangle ABC can be constructed knowing that AB = 6 cm, angle A = 36°, and angle B = 59°.

The line AB is drawn, 6 cm long. A protractor is used to measure the angles 36° at A and 59° at B - these lines are continued to meet at C, forming the triangle ABC:

Given two sides and the angle between them (SAS): triangle ABC can be drawn knowing that AB = 5 cm, angle A = 45°, and AC = 4 cm.

Line AB is drawn, 5 cm long. An angle of 36° is measured at A, and the arm extended to a length of 4 cm to give point C. Points B and C are joined to form the triangle:

Given two sides and a non-included angle (SSA): triangle ABC can be drawn knowing that AB = 6 cm, BC = 7 cm, and angle A = 50°.

Line AB is drawn, 6 cm long. An angle of 50° is measured at A and the arm extended. With the compasses centred on B, radius 7 cm, an arc is drawn to cross the extended line at C. Points B and C are joined to form the triangle: