Question

As a part of a geometry assignment, Phyllis will construct a circle through three given points A, B, and C and then construct a tangent to the circle through point A. Phyllis wrote down the steps she will use as shown below.

Answer 1

Step 1: Draw line segments AB and BC.
Step 2: Construct the perpendicular bisectors of segments AB and BC and label their point of intersection as O.
Step 3: Center the compass at point A and draw a circle through points O, B, and C.
Step 4: Draw the line OA and extend beyond the circle.
Step 5: Construct a perpendicular to the line OA at point A.
Step 6: Draw the tangent line through point A.

Which of these describes an error in the steps she will use to construct the circle and tangent?

Step 2 is incorrect. Construct the angle bisectors.
Step 3 is incorrect. Center the compass at point O.
Step 4 is incorrect. Draw the radius OA.
Step 5 is incorrect. The perpendicular should be constructed on segment BC.

Answer 2

Step 3 is incorrect. Center the compass at point O.
-----------------------------------

All points on the perpendicular-bisector of a given segment are equidistant from the endpoints of the segment. O is on both perpendicular bisectors and is equidistant from A, B, and C. So, the compass should be centered at point O to draw the circle containing points A, B, and C.

Answer 3

thanks (:, i wasn't able to interpret it correctly thanks

Answer 4

Glad to help. I had to draw the steps to follow along.