Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 8 Maths Guides

Year 8 - Maths

Perpendicular bisector of a line segment

Constructions

Unit Summary

In this unit we develop skills in using a pair of compasses and ruler to construct various accurate shapes and angles including triangles, rhombi, perpendicular lines and angle bisectors.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use the properties of a rhombus to construct a perpendicular bisector of a line segment.

Key Notes

  • A rhombus can be constructed from two congruent isosceles triangles.
  • The diagonals of a rhombus meet at right angles and bisect each other.
  • It is possible to construct the perpendicular bisector of a line segment without drawing the rhombus.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Bisect: To bisect means to cut or divide an object into two equal parts.
  • Rhombus: A rhombus is a parallelogram where all sides are the same length.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • I can use a ruler to measure the midpoint of a line segment, and a protractor to find 90°.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.

A rhombus can be constructed from two congruent isosceles triangles. The diagonals of a rhombus meet at right angles and bisect each other.

2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Bisect'

To bisect means to cut or divide an object into two equal parts. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.

3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.

Mistake: I can use a ruler to measure the midpoint of a line segment, and a protractor to find 90°. Correction: Constructions, such as perpendicular bisectors, are methods of creating & modifying shapes & angles in ways that don't require measurements.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 Maths guide library.