How to Add and Subtract Line Segments
The method of adding and subtracting line segments is most often taught to students who are learning how to measure angles and solve geometric equations. The concept is simple for anyone who has the desire to learn and the discipline to commit to a minimal amount of effort.
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Instructions
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1
Take your pencil and make a point anywhere on the page. Take the compass and put the base at the point and extend the compass out to any desired angle. Make a point with the compass pencil and then in a sweeping motion make an arc that goes through that point.
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2
Without changing the width of the compass, rotate the sides of the compass so that the base is now touching the point you made with its pencil. Make another arc through the original point. Using your straight edge draw a line connecting the two points.
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3
Repeat steps one and two with a line that is either shorter or longer than the first one. We will assume that we will be adding the second line to the original line.
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4
Expand the compass so that it touches both ends of the second line. Without changing the compass width put the base at one end of the original line with the opposite end facing away from the line.
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5
Sweep an arc that is roughly linear with the original line. Using your straight edge extend the first line until it reaches the newly made arc. You now have added two segments together in a linear manner.
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Tips & Warnings
Subtracting a segment is done the same way except that you have the second end of the compass facing the first line. Make an arc intersecting the line and erase the portion of the line after the arc.
Depending on your compass sometimes it is easy to change its width. Doing so would result in an inaccurate addition or subtraction of two or more line segments.
