10.

0 Background Knowledge

Suggested Teaching Approach

Design activities to test students’ skill on how to use ruler and compasses only
to:

• construct a line segment and perpendicular line.

• bisect angle.

Earlier you have learnt how to use a ruler and compasses only to construct
perpendicular lines and to bisect angles. These are considered as a required
knowledge for better understanding of the new objectives.

Learning Objectives

The objectives in this section require you to do more constructions. It will

require you to construct and bisect certain angles specifically, not just angles
as in your previous lessons.

So you will learn to:

• construct angles 𝟔𝟎𝟎 , 𝟒𝟓𝟎 and 𝟑𝟎𝟎 .

• use circle to draw a regular polygon.

This means at the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• use compass and ruler only to construct angles 𝟔𝟎𝟎 , 𝟒𝟓𝟎 and 𝟑𝟎𝟎 .
• construct polygon using circle.
However, to start with, it is necessary to be reminded of some terms associated
with these objectives.

10.1 Definition of Terms

10.11 Bisector

This is a line that divides either a line or angle into two equal parts.

10.12 Bisector of a Line

A bisector of line segment therefore divides a line into two equal parts by
passing through the mid-point of the line when drawn.

A bisector of a line is perpendicular to the line at the mid-point. Therefore

makes angle 900 with the line.

Here,

• AB is a line segment
• CD is the bisector of line AB at the midpoint.
10.13 Bisector of an Angle

A bisector of an angle divides the angle into two equal parts by passing through
the vertex of the angle when drawn.

Remember that the vertex is where two lines meet to form angle.

Here is an angle and its bisector (the yellow line).

Note:

Most of the time we construct or obtain angles by bisection.

For instance,

• to construct angle 300 , bisect angle 600

• to construct angle 150 , bisect angle 300
• to construct angles 450 , bisect angle 900 and so on.

It is therefore very important that you master the act of bisecting angles.
10.2 Construction of Angles

Though our objective requires us to construct the following angles:

300 , 450 𝑎𝑛𝑑 600 , there are other angles associated with these angles. Such as
angles 750 , 1200 , 1350 , 1500 and so on.

10.21 Construction of Angle 𝟔𝟎𝟎

To construct angle 600 , the following are the steps:

• Draw a line segment say OP of your own

length.
• Place the compass to the length of OP.
• Then draw an arc while compass point is at O.
• Draw another arc from compass point P until
it meets the first arc.
• Label the point where the arcs meet as R.
• With your ruler, draw a straight line from O
through R .
• Angle ZOQ= 600 .
• For a check, use your protractor to measure
the accuracy of you angle.
10.22 Construction of Angle 𝟑𝟎𝟎

To construct angle 300 , the following are the steps:

• First construct angle 600 (since 30 is half of 60)

• Then bisect angle 600 .

To bisect angle 600 , the procedure is as follow:

• Place your compass point on the vertex of

angle 600 i.e. at A.
• Then open the compass to a few centimeter
(you do not need to measure it), make an
arc each on the two lines that form angle
600 (at the vertex).
• Labeled the point where the arcs cross the
two lines as C and D.
• Place the compass point where the arc meet
the line, say at C, and draw an arc between
the two lines.
• With the same centimeter, place the contact
point now on D and draw another arc
between the two lines. Make sure this arc
cross the first one. Label where the two arcs
cross as E.
• Then with your ruler, draw a straight line
through A (the vertex) and the point E
where the arcs cross each other.
• This is the bisector of an angle 600 . In other
words, this is angle 300 .
• Check the accuracy of your construction
using a protractor.
10.23 Construction of Angle 𝟒𝟓𝟎

To construct angle 450 , we first need to construct angle 900 .

In order word, we need to bisect angle 900 to obtain angle 450 .

So, let us start:

• First construct angle 900 (previous

knowledge).
• Then bisect angle 900 as follow:
• Place your compass point on the vertex of
angle 900 i.e. at D.
• Then open the compass to a few centimeter
(you do not need to measure it), make an
arc each on the two lines (DL and DM) that
meet at angle 900 (at the vertex).
• Label the point where the arcS meet lines
DL and DM as Z and S.
• Place the compass point where the arc meet
the line at Z and draw an arc between the
two lines.
• With the same centimeter, place the contact
point now second line as S and draw
another arc between the two lines DL and
DM. Make sure this arc cross the first one.
Label where the two arcs cross as X.
• Then with your ruler, draw a straight line
through the vertex D and the point X where
the arcs cross each other.
• This is the bisector of an angle 900 . In other
words, this is angle 450 .
• Check the accuracy of your construction
using a protractor.
Note:

• Angles such as 300 , 450 , 600 , 900 are regarded as special angles.
• Reason being that such angles can be constructed using a compass and
ruler only.
• In other words, unlike angles such as 330 , 710 and so on, you do not
need protractor to draw such angles.

10.3 Other Special or Related Angles

Having learnt how to construct angles 300 , 450 , 600 𝑎𝑛𝑑 900 , you have as well
learnt how to construct other special angles that are associated with these
angles.

10.31 Angles associated with angle 𝟔𝟎𝟎

• Angle 300 : Bisect angle 600 .

• Angle 750 : Angles 600 + 150 i.e. Construct angles 600 𝑎𝑛𝑑 150 (bisect
angle 300 to obtain angle 150 ).
• Angle 1200 : It is constructed alongside angle 600 (the adjacent angle to
600 ).
• Angle 1500 : It is angles 300 +1200 . So, construct angles 300 and 1200 .

10.32 Angles associated with angle 𝟗𝟎𝟎

• Angle 450 : Bisect angle 900 .

• Angle 1350 : It is angles 900 + 450 i.e. construct angles 900 𝑎𝑛𝑑 450 .
10.4 Construction of Regular Polygon using Circle (inscribing a polygon in a
circle)

Remember a regular polygon is a type of polygon where all the sides and all the
angles are equal.

You can make use of a circle to construct any regular polygon. In order words,
you can inscribe a polygon in a circle.

Example: Let us inscribe a pentagon in a circle.

• First draw a circle of a given radius or of the side of the polygon you are
to construct, let’s say 4cm.
• Mark a point (let’s say S) of your choice on the circumference of the circle.
• With radius 4cm, place your compass point on S and make two arcs on
the circumference of the circle.
• Do not change the radius of your compass, from the previous two arcs;
draw two more arcs on the circumference.
• At this stage, you have 5 points on the circumference (that include point
S).
• Join the 5 points to make a pentagon.
• Check that your pentagon is regular by using your ruler to check that the
length of each side your pentagon is 4cm.
Note 1:

• With this method, you can draw any polygon.

• Just ensure you mark on the circumference the number of arc as equal
to the number of sides of the polygon you are constructing.
• In the above, we constructed a pentagon so we made 5 arcs on the
circumference.
• If you are to construct a nonagon for instance, then with the radius of
the circle (or length of the polygon), make 9 arcs and so on.

Note 2:

• In construction, there is no rigid method.

• Sometimes, in order to construct an angle or a polygon, you just as to
simply follow or carry out given instructions.

10.5 Test Yourself Questions

1. Use a ruler and compasses only, construct the following angles:

a. 150 b. 1200 c. 1500 d. 750

In each case, use your protractor to check the accuracy of your angles.

2. Use a ruler and compasses only, construct the following angles:

a. 22.50 b. 1350 𝑐. 450

In each case, use your protractor to check the accuracy of your angles.

3a. Construct a triangle with angles 300 and 600 .

b. Construct a triangle with angles 450 and 900 .

4. Inscribe a regular octagon in a circle of radius 5cm, using the following

methods:

Method 1:

The method used in the example.

• Check that your octagon is regular by measuring the sides and the
angles.

Method 2

• First draw a circle with radius 5cm.

• Use a ruler a ruler and compasses only, construct two perpendicular
diameters in your circle.
• Construct another two diameters to bisect each of the first two
diameters.
• Finally, join the ends of the diameters to form a regular octagon.
• Check that your octagon is regular by measuring the sides and the
angles.

Method 3

• First draw a circle of radius 5cm.

• Calculate the angle between the sides.
Hint: since a circle has 3600 , divide 3600 by 𝑛 (the number of sides of the
polygon)

• Use a protractor, mark from the center of the circle to the

circumference all the multiples of the angle calculated above.
 Hint: for an octagon, there should be 8 marks on the circumference.

• Join the points marked on the circumference with a line segment to

form a regular polygon.
• Check that your octagon is regular by measuring the sides and the
angles.

Learning Objectives

The objective in this section is to:

• Identify Reflective Symmetry in 3D Shapes

This means at the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Visualise (develop a mindset) then draw the plane of symmetry of a

3D shape.

11.0 Introduction: Reflective Symmetry

Shapes (whether 2D or 3D) have reflective symmetry. In other words, shapes,

including things such as a butterfly, human being and son on can be reflected
using a mirror.
Reflective symmetry is where one half of a shape reflects the other half of the
shape. It is also known as mirror symmetry.

The shape that has been reflected will be the same as the original shape in size
and distance from the mirror.

11.1 Reminder: Reflective Symmetry in 2D Shapes

In a 2D shape (or plain shape), the shape is reflected in a mirror line or line of
symmetry.

The mirror line or line of symmetry therefore divides a 2D shape (or plain
object) into two congruent parts.

This you have learnt in your previous lessons. Here are some examples of 2D
shapes with their lines of symmetry.

However, the objective in this section is to study the reflective symmetry of 3D

shapes.

11.2 Reflective Symmetry of Three-Dimensional Shapes

Again, three-Dimensional Shapes (3D) are shapes that can be measured in 3

directions, which are length, width (breadth) and height (depth or thickness).
They are also called solid or closed shapes. Examples are: cuboid, cube,
cylinder, sphere, cone e.tc.

The learning objective suggests to us that 3D shapes are symmetrical like 2D

shapes. This means if you cut a 3D shape into two halves, the halves are mirror
image of each other.

In other words, 3D shapes can be divided into two congruent parts where one
half reflects the other half using a mirror. The shape that has been reflected
will have same size and distance as the original shape.

However, 3D shapes, rather than having line of symmetry, have plane of

symmetry. A 3D shape is therefore reflected in a plane of symmetry.

Let us look at the 3D symmetry of cylinders, cuboid, triangular prism and

pyramid.

11.3 Plane of Symmetry

11.31 Planes of Symmetry of Cylinders

Cylinders have circular symmetry. This means they have an infinite number of
planes of symmetry.

But they have one plane of symmetry across the curved face.

If you cut a cylinder into two halves at this plane of symmetry (curved surface),
you will get two shapes (two congruent parts) that are mirror image of each
other as shown.
If you decide to cut a cylinder with these planes of symmetry (across the
height) as shown, you will as well have two shapes (two congruent parts)
which are mirror image of each other.

11.32 Planes of Symmetry of Triangular Prism

A regular triangular prism will have 4 planes of symmetry.

• One plane of symmetry across the rectangular face as shown:

• And three planes of symmetry from any of the three vertices.

Each plane of symmetry divides the prism into two congruent parts that are
mirror image of each other.

11.33 Planes of Symmetry of Cuboids

A cuboid has 3 planes of symmetry as shown:

• It has one horizontal plane of symmetry.

• And two vertical planes of symmetry.

Each plane of symmetry divides the cuboid into two congruent parts that are
mirror image of each other.

Planes of Symmetry of a Cube

Cube has 9 planes of symmetry as shown:

• 2 passes through the edges (the first in each row),

• While the remaining 4 passes through the four vertices of the cube.

Each plane of symmetry divides the cube into two congruent parts that are
mirror image of each other.
Note:

• To identify the plane of symmetry, it requires you to visualize the

shape.

11.4 Test Yourself Questions

1. The diagram shows a prism with an isosceles trapezium as its cross-

section.

The prism has two planes of symmetry.

Copy the shape and draw these planes of symmetry.

2. Draw a cube, cuboid, cylinder and triangular prism and draw the planes of
symmetry for each shape.