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Geometry - Construction and Loci

Grade 11A Level

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

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The locus of points at a constant distance from a fixed point is a circle. This is used when a condition specifies a distance 'from a point'.

Locus of points at distance d from point P forming a circle.
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The perpendicular bisector of a line segment ABAB represents the locus of points equidistant from two fixed points AA and BB. This divides a region into 'closer to AA' or 'closer to BB'.

Perpendicular bisector of segment AB.
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The angle bisector is the locus of points equidistant from two intersecting lines (e.g., sides of an angle ABCABC). This is used for problems involving 'equidistant from two fences' or 'two paths'.

Angle bisector of angle ABC.
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The locus of points at a constant distance dd from a line segment ABAB consists of two parallel line segments and two semi-circles at the ends AA and BB. This is often called a 'stadium' or 'capsule' shape.

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Scale drawings require converting actual measurements using a scale factor kk. When drawing, ensure all units are consistent (e.g., 1 cm:2 m1\text{ cm} : 2\text{ m}). Always use a sharp pencil, a ruler, and a pair of compasses for construction.

📐Formulae

Linear Scale Factor(k)=Length on DrawingActual Length\text{Linear Scale Factor} (k) = \frac{\text{Length on Drawing}}{\text{Actual Length}}

Area Scale Factor=k2\text{Area Scale Factor} = k^2

Volume Scale Factor=k3\text{Volume Scale Factor} = k^3

Distance=Speed×Time (often used in loci problems involving moving objects)\text{Distance} = \text{Speed} \times \text{Time} \text{ (often used in loci problems involving moving objects)}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A gardener wants to plant a tree that is: (1) More than 5m from a fixed post P, and (2) Closer to fence AB than to fence AC. Using a scale of 1cm : 1m, shade the region where the tree can be planted.

Solution:

  1. Draw a circle with center P and radius 5cm. The area outside this circle satisfies condition 1. 2. Construct the angle bisector of the angle at vertex A (where fences AB and AC meet). The region on the side of the bisector closer to AB satisfies condition 2. 3. Shade the intersection of the area outside the circle and the side of the bisector closer to AB.

Explanation:

Condition 1 defines a locus based on a fixed point, which is a circle. 'More than' means the exterior region. Condition 2 defines a locus equidistant from two intersecting lines, which is an angle bisector. The 'closer to' requirement indicates one side of that bisector.

Problem 2:

Construct a triangle ABC where AB = 8cm, AC = 6cm, and BC = 7cm. Then, construct the locus of points inside the triangle that are exactly 3cm from vertex A.

Solution:

  1. Draw line AB = 8cm. 2. Set compass to 6cm, draw an arc from A. 3. Set compass to 7cm, draw an arc from B. The intersection is point C. Join AC and BC. 4. To find the locus 3cm from A, set the compass to 3cm and draw an arc inside the triangle with the needle at point A.

Explanation:

This problem combines basic triangle construction using SSS (Side-Side-Side) criteria with the definition of a locus from a fixed point. The locus is a circular arc centered at A with a radius of 3cm.

Problem 3:

The scale of a map is 1:25,000. If the distance between two towns on the map is 4cm, calculate the actual distance in kilometers.

Solution:

  1. Actual distance in cm = 4×25,000=100,0004 \times 25,000 = 100,000 cm. 2. Convert to meters: 100,000÷100=1,000100,000 \div 100 = 1,000 m. 3. Convert to km: 1,000÷1,000=11,000 \div 1,000 = 1 km.

Explanation:

To convert map distance to real distance, multiply by the scale factor nn. Then, use the conversions 100cm=1m100\text{cm} = 1\text{m} and 1000m=1km1000\text{m} = 1\text{km} to reach the required units.

Problem 4:

Construct a rectangle ABCDABCD where AB=8 cmAB = 8\text{ cm} and BC=5 cmBC = 5\text{ cm}. Shade the region inside the rectangle that is closer to side ADAD than to side BCBC, and less than 6 cm6\text{ cm} from vertex AA.

Rectangle ABCD with a vertical bisector and a circular arc from vertex A.

Solution:

  1. Draw the rectangle ABCDABCD with dimensions 8 cm×5 cm8\text{ cm} \times 5\text{ cm}.
  2. The locus of points equidistant from ADAD and BCBC is the perpendicular bisector of the sides ABAB and CDCD. This is a vertical line x=4x = 4 if AA is at (0,5)(0,5) and BB is at (8,5)(8,5). Shading to the left of this line satisfies 'closer to ADAD'.
  3. The locus of points exactly 6 cm6\text{ cm} from AA is an arc of a circle with center AA and radius 6 cm6\text{ cm}.
  4. The final region is the intersection of the left half of the rectangle and the interior of the arc centered at AA.

Explanation:

To solve this, we combine the 'perpendicular bisector' logic (applied to parallel lines) with the 'circle' locus centered at a vertex. Only the overlapping area within the rectangle is shaded.

Problem 5:

Two radio towers, T1T1 and T2T2, are located 100 km100\text{ km} apart. A receiver is located such that it is: (1) closer to T1T1 than T2T2, and (2) at least 40 km40\text{ km} from T1T1. Draw a sketch where 1 cm=10 km1\text{ cm} = 10\text{ km} and indicate the possible locations.

Locus showing region closer to T1 but more than 40km away from it.

Solution:

  1. Mark points T1T1 and T2T2 at a distance of 10 cm10\text{ cm}.
  2. Construct the perpendicular bisector of the line segment T1T2T1T2.
  3. Draw a circle around T1T1 with a radius of 4 cm4\text{ cm} (40 km40\text{ km}).
  4. Shade the region that is to the left of the bisector (closer to T1T1) but outside the circle (at least 40 km40\text{ km} from T1T1).

Explanation:

The boundary for 'closer to' is the perpendicular bisector. The boundary for 'at least' is the circle itself, including all points on the circumference and everything outside of it.

Construction and Loci Grade 11 Notes & Examples