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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Start with a line segment AB that we will divide up into 5 (in this case) equal parts. | |
|
| Step 1 | From point A, draw a line segment at an angle to the given line, and about the same length. The exact length is not important. | |
| Step 2 | Set the compasses on A, and set its width to a bit less than one fifth of the length of the new line. | |
| Step 3 | Step the compasses along the line, marking off 5 arcs. Label the last one C. | |
| Step 4 | With the compasses' width set to CB, draw an arc from A just below it. | |
| Step 5 | With the compasses' width set to AC, draw an arc from B crossing the one drawn in step 4. This intersection is point D. | |
| Step 6 | Draw a line from D to B. | |
| Step 7 | Using the same compasses' width as used to step along AC, step the compasses from D along DB making 4 new arcs across the line | |
| Step 8 | Draw lines between the corresponding points along AC and DB. | |
| Step 9 | Done. The lines divide the given line segment AB in to 5 congruent parts. | |