Math Open Reference
| After doing this | Your work should look like this |
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We start with a line segment PQ that will be the hypotenuse of the triangle.. |
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| First, we construct a 30° angle on one end of the hypotenuse. See Constructing a 30° angle. | |
| 1. Starting with the hypotenuse line PQ, set the compass on P, and set its width to any convenient width. |  |
| 2. Draw a broad arc across PQ. Label the point where it crosses PQ as point S. |  |
| 3. Without changing the compass width, move the compass to the point S. Draw a broad arc that crosses the first one. Label the point where the two arcs cross as point T. |  |
| 4. Again without changing the compass width, move the compass to the point T, and draw an arc across the previous arc, creating point R. |  |
| 5. Draw a line from P through R and continue it on beyond R to create the second side of the triangle. |  |
| Next, we construct a 60° angle on the other end of the hypotenuse. See Constructing a 60° angle. | |
| 6. Place the compass on point Q and set it to any convenient width. |  |
| 7. Draw a broad arc across PQ on the same side as point R. Label the point where it crosses PQ as point A. |  |
| 8. With the compass on A, draw a second arc, crossing the first arc at point B |  |
| 9. Draw a line from Q, through B and on to cross the line PR. Label the intersection point C. |  |
| 10. Done. The triangle PQC is a 30-60-90 triangle. |  |