compass and straightedge construction of center of given circle


Given a circle in the Euclidean planeMathworldPlanetmath, one can construct its center (http://planetmath.org/Center8) using compass and straightedge as follows:

  1. 1.

    Draw a chord. Label its endpointsMathworldPlanetmath as A and B.

    ....AB
  2. 2.

    Construct the perpendicular bisectorMathworldPlanetmath of AB¯ in order to find the two points C and D where it intersects the circle.

    ....ABCD
  3. 3.

    Construct the perpendicular bisector of CD¯ to determine the midpointMathworldPlanetmathPlanetmathPlanetmath O of CD¯. O is the center of the circle.

    ....ABCDO

A justification for these constructions is supplied in the entry construct the center of a given circle.

If you are interested in seeing the rules for compass and straightedge constructions, click on the provided.

Title compass and straightedge construction of center of given circle
Canonical name CompassAndStraightedgeConstructionOfCenterOfGivenCircle
Date of creation 2013-03-22 17:13:44
Last modified on 2013-03-22 17:13:44
Owner Wkbj79 (1863)
Last modified by Wkbj79 (1863)
Numerical id 10
Author Wkbj79 (1863)
Entry type Algorithm
Classification msc 51M15
Classification msc 51-00
Related topic ConstructTheCenterOfAGivenCircle