How to Construct a Square with Compass and Ruler Step by Step
In Geometry, a square is a two-dimensional figure with four equal sides and four equal angles. Each angle of the square measures 90 degrees. Also, the diagonals of a square are equal and bisect each other at 90 degrees. The square is considered a special type of rectangle as all the properties of the square are quite similar to the properties of a rectangle. The only difference between the two is that the rectangle has only its opposite sides equal. Hence, the rectangle will be called a square if the length of all its four sides is equal.
Read the article below to learn the steps of construction of a square with a compass and a ruler and steps of construction of a square inscribed in a circle.
Construction of a Square with Compass and Ruler
A square is a closed, two-dimensional figure with four equal sides. The four angles of a square are also equal i.e. 90 degrees each. The only dimension we have been provided is the length of one side of a square i.e. 5 cm. We know that the interior angles of a square are at right angles or equal to 90 degrees. Hence, we do not require any other measurement for constructing a square. The measurement of the length of all the four sides of a square equal and perpendicular to each other. With the help of this information, we can now construct a square each of whose sides measure 5 cm.
Construction of a Square with a Given Side of 5 cm
Below are the steps for constructing a square with a compass whose each side measure 5 cm:
Draw a line segment AB of 5 cm with the help of the ruler.
Extend the line segment AB. Place the pointer of the compass on point B, and with convenient width, draw two arcs on each side of B as shown in the figure given below. Mark the point as F and G.
With F as the center and the radius 5 cm draw an arc above point B.
With G as a center and the same radius of the compass, draw on the arc above point B, crossing the previous arc. Mark the point H, where both the arcs meet as shown in the figure below.
Join point B and H
Taking A as the center and radius 5 cm, draw an arc above the point A.
Now with the same radius and taking B as center, draw an arc across BH as shown in the figure below, and mark the point as C. This is the vertex of a square.
Now with the same radius and taking C as the center, draw an arc to the left of C, crossing the previous arc. Mark the point D where both the arc meets.
Join the point CD and AD to get the desired square ABCD of each side 5 cm.
Square Inscribed in a Circle
A square is drawn inside a circle or inscribed in a circle if its four vertices lie on the circumference of a circle. The diagonals of a square are always equal to the diameter of a circle. The figure given below shows the square inscribed in a circle.
Construction of a Square Inscribed in a Circle
Following are the steps to construct a square inscribed in a circle
Draw a circle with center O with the help of the compass.
Mark a point A on the edge of the circle as shown in the figure given below. This will be considered as one of the vertices of a square.
Using the ruler, draw the diameter of a circle from point A that passes through the center of the circle, creating a new ending point C.
Taking A as center and radius more than half of the length AC, draw an arc both above and below the point O.
Taking C as center and with the same radius, draw an arc both above and below the point O that will intersect the arc drawn in step 5.
Draw a line through the point where opposite arcs meet each other. Extends the line long enough so that it touches the circle both at the top and bottom creating the new points B and D. The line segment BD will also be the diameter of the circle.
Join each successive point i.e. A, B, C, and D to form a square as shown in the figure below.
Hence, you will get a square inscribed in the given circle.
Solved Examples
1. A square with side length a is inscribed in a circle. Determine the radius of a circle in terms of the side length of square a.
Solution:
The diagonals of a square are the diameter of a circle. Let d and r be the diameter and radius of a circle respectively. According to the Pythagorean theorem, we have
d² = a² + a²
d² = 2a²
D = \[\sqrt{2a^{2}}\]
= \[a\sqrt{2}\]
As we know, the diameter of a circle is twice its radius. So
R = d/2
= \[a\sqrt{2}/2\]
2. Construct a square ABCD whose measurement of the length of the diagonals is 6 cm. Measure the sides of a square.
Solution:
As we know, all four sides of a square are equal, and also each angle of the square measures 90 degrees each. We also know that the diagonals of a square are equal and perpendicularly bisect to each other.
With these properties, we can construct a square whose diagonal is 6 cm in length. Following are the steps to construct a square whose diagonal is 6 cm.
Draw a line segment AC of 6 cm with the help of the ruler.
Construct a perpendicular bisector XY through the midpoint of AB.
The perpendicular bisector XY will intersect the line segment AC at O. We get OC = OA= 3 cm.
Taking O as center and radius 3.cm, draw two arcs cutting the line XY at points B and D.
Join the line segments AB, BC, CD, and DA. Hence, ABCD is the desired square of diagonal 6 cm as shown below.
Measuring the sides of a square using a ruler, we get AB = BC = CD = DA = 4.2 cm.
FAQs on Construction of a Square in Geometry
1. What is the construction of a square in geometry?
The construction of a square is the geometric method of drawing a four-sided figure with all sides equal and all angles equal to 90° using a ruler and compass. A square has:
- Four equal sides
- Four right angles (90° each)
- Equal diagonals that bisect each other at right angles
2. How do you construct a square when one side is given?
To construct a square when one side is given, draw perpendicular lines at both ends of the given segment and mark equal lengths. Steps:
- Draw line segment AB (given side).
- Construct a 90° angle at A and B.
- With compass width equal to AB, mark points D and C on the perpendiculars.
- Join C and D.
3. What are the properties of a square used in construction?
The key properties used in square construction are equal sides and right angles. Important properties include:
- All sides are equal.
- Each interior angle is 90°.
- Diagonals are equal and bisect each other at right angles.
- Opposite sides are parallel.
4. How do you construct a square using its diagonal?
To construct a square using its diagonal, draw perpendicular bisectors to locate the other two vertices. Steps:
- Draw diagonal AC of given length.
- Find midpoint O of AC.
- Draw a perpendicular line through O.
- With radius OA, mark points B and D on the perpendicular.
- Join A, B, C, and D.
5. What is the formula for the diagonal of a square?
The formula for the diagonal of a square is d = a√2, where a is the side length. This comes from the Pythagoras theorem:
- In right triangle ABC,
- d² = a² + a² = 2a²
- d = a√2
6. How do you verify that a constructed figure is a square?
A constructed figure is a square if all sides are equal and each angle measures 90°. To verify:
- Check all four sides are equal using a compass.
- Measure angles to confirm they are 90°.
- Ensure diagonals are equal and bisect each other.
7. Can you give an example of constructing a square of side 4 cm?
To construct a square of side 4 cm, draw a 4 cm segment and build perpendicular sides of equal length. Steps:
- Draw AB = 4 cm.
- Construct 90° angles at A and B.
- Mark AD = 4 cm and BC = 4 cm.
- Join C and D.
8. Why do we use a compass and ruler to construct a square?
A compass and ruler are used to ensure precise geometric construction without measurement errors. The ruler draws straight lines, while the compass helps:
- Copy equal lengths
- Construct perpendicular lines
- Draw arcs for accurate intersections
9. What is the difference between a square and a rectangle in construction?
The main difference is that a square has all sides equal, while a rectangle has only opposite sides equal. In construction:
- Square: Four equal sides and four 90° angles.
- Rectangle: Opposite sides equal and four 90° angles.
10. What are common mistakes while constructing a square?
Common mistakes in square construction include inaccurate right angles and unequal side lengths. Frequent errors:
- Not constructing a true 90° angle.
- Changing compass width while copying lengths.
- Misplacing arc intersections.
- Not checking equal diagonals.
