What Is a Geometric Compass?
A compass is a V-shaped drawing instrument used in geometry to create circles and arcs. It consists of two legs connected by a hinge. One leg has a sharp point to anchor it to the paper, and the other leg holds a pencil or pen to draw the curve.
Section 2: Key Components of a Compass
The main parts of a geometric compass are the hinge, the two legs, the needle point, and the pencil holder. The hinge allows the user to adjust the angle between the legs, which determines the radius of the circle. The needle point acts as the center, and the pencil draws the circumference.
Section 3: A Practical Example: Drawing a Circle
To draw a circle with a compass, you first set the distance between the needle point and the pencil tip to your desired radius. Then, you press the needle point firmly onto the paper to create the center point. Finally, while keeping the needle leg stationary, you rotate the pencil leg around the center to draw a perfect circle.
Section 4: Importance and Applications
Compasses are essential tools in geometry for more than just drawing circles. They are used for constructing various geometric figures like equilateral triangles and hexagons, bisecting angles and line segments, and creating perpendicular lines. These constructions are fundamental to Euclidean geometry.