Concept Byte: Compass Designs

Use With Lesson 1-6

ACTIVITY

In Lesson 1-6, you will use a compass to construct geometric figures. You can construct figures to show geometric relationships, to suggest new relationships, or simply to make interesting geometric designs.

Activity

• Step 1 Open your compass to about 2 in. Make a circle and mark the point at the center of the circle. Keep the opening of your compass fixed. Place the compass point on the circle. With the pencil end, make a small arc to intersect the circle.

• Step 2 Place the compass point on the circle at the arc. Mark another arc. Continue around the circle this way to draw four more arcs—six in all.

• Step 3 Place your compass point on an arc you marked on the circle. Place the pencil end at the next arc. Draw a large arc that passes through the circle's center and continues to another point on the circle.

• Step 4 Draw six large arcs in this manner, each centered at one of the six points marked on the circle. You may choose to color your design.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Exercises

1. In Step 2, did your sixth mark on the circle land precisely on the point where you first placed your compass on the circle?
   1. Survey the class to find out how many did.
   2. Explain why your sixth mark may not have landed on your starting point.

2. Extend your design by using one of the six points on the circle as the center for a new circle. Repeat Steps 1–4 with this circle. Repeat several times to make interlocking circles

   

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