Constructing a 60° angle

This is the step-by-step, printable version. If you PRINT this page, any ads will not be printed.

See also the animated version.

After doing this Your work should look like this
1.  Draw a line segment which will become one side of the angle. (Skip this step if you are given this line.) The exact length is not important. Label it PQ. P will be the angle's vertex. Geometry construction with compass and straightedge or ruler or ruler
2.  Set the compasses on P, and set its width to any convenient setting. Geometry construction with compass and straightedge or ruler or ruler
3.  Draw an arc across PQ and up over above the point P. Geometry construction with compass and straightedge or ruler or ruler
4.  Without changing the compasses' width, move the compasses to the point where the arc crosses PQ, and make an arc that crosses the first one. Geometry construction with compass and straightedge or ruler or ruler
5.  Draw a line from P, through the intersection of the two arcs. Geometry construction with compass and straightedge or ruler or ruler
6.  Done. The angle QPR has a measure of 60° Geometry construction with compass and straightedge or ruler or ruler

Other constructions pages on this site

Lines

Angles

Triangles

Right triangles

Triangle Centers

Circles, Arcs and Ellipses

Polygons

Non-Euclidean constructions