Printable instructions for drawing parallel through a point (rhombus method)

Constructing a parallel through a point - Rhombus method

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After doing this	Your work should look like this
Start with a line segment PQ and a point R off the line.
1. Place the compasses on point R and set its width to a little more than the distance to the line PQ. The exact distance is not important.
2. Draw a wide arc from the right of R around so it crosses the line PQ at two points. Label the left point J
3. Without adjusting the compasses' width, move the compasses to J and draw an arc across the line PQ. Label this point E.
4. Without adjusting the compasses' width, move the compasses to E and draw an arc across the large arc to the right of R. Label this point S.
5. Draw a straight line through points R and S.
Done. The line RS is parallel to the line PQ

After doing this

Your work should look like this

Start with a line segment PQ and a point R off the line.

1. Place the compasses on point R and set its width to a little more than the distance to the line PQ.
The exact distance is not important.

2. Draw a wide arc from the right of R around so it crosses the line PQ at two points.
Label the left point J

3. Without adjusting the compasses' width, move the compasses to J and draw an arc across the line PQ. Label this point E.

4. Without adjusting the compasses' width, move the compasses to E and draw an arc across the large arc to the right of R. Label this point S.

5. Draw a straight line through points R and S.

Done. The line RS is parallel to the line PQ

Constructing a parallel through a point - Rhombus method