MA24-01 Maths Watch
Constructing the perpendicular bisector of a line segment
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In this lesson
In this video you'll learn about bisect a line for GCSE Maths, with a worked example and the mistakes examiners report. By the end you'll be able to construct the perpendicular bisector of a line segment using only a ruler and compasses, leaving all construction arcs visible.
What it covers
- 1:07 Bisect a line: this is what that drawing looks like when
- 2:00 Why compasses
- 2:48 Let us build it
- 3:59 The exam craft, because this is where the marks are actually lost
- 5:43 Exam technique
- 7:17 What's next
For: OCR GCSE J560, AQA GCSE 8300, Edexcel GCSE 1MA1, Eduqas GCSE C300, Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1
On the specification
| Board | Spec | Statement |
|---|---|---|
| OCR GCSE J560 | 8.02a | Construct the perpendicular bisector and midpoint of a line segment. |
| AQA GCSE 8300 | G2 | Use the standard ruler and compass constructions (perpendicular bisector of a line segment, constructing a perpendicular to a given line from/at a given point, bisecting a given angle) |
| Edexcel GCSE 1MA1 | G2 | Use the standard ruler and compass constructions (perpendicular bisector of a line segment, constructing a perpendicular to a given line from/at a given point, bisecting a given angle); use these to construct given figures and solve loci problems; know that the perpendicular distance from a point to a line is the shortest distance to the line |
| Eduqas GCSE C300 | FG2 | Use the standard ruler and compass constructions (perpendicular bisector of a line segment, constructing a perpendicular to a given line from/at a given point, bisecting a given angle); use these to construct given figures and solve loci problems; know that the perpendicular distance from a point to a line is the shortest distance to the line |
| Eduqas GCSE C300 | HG2 | Use the standard ruler and compass constructions (perpendicular bisector of a line segment, constructing a perpendicular to a given line from/at a given point, bisecting a given angle); use these to construct given figures and solve loci problems; know that the perpendicular distance from a point to a line is the shortest distance to the line |
| Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 | F4.5D | Use straight edge and compasses to: (i) construct the perpendicular bisector of a line segment (ii) construct the bisector of an angle |
For teachers
This GCSE Maths lesson teaches constructing the perpendicular bisector of a line segment. By the end, students should be able to construct the perpendicular bisector of a line segment using only a ruler and compasses, leaving all construction arcs visible. It works through one worked example and the mistakes examiners report.