Question

Identify the diagram that shows the first step in the construction of a perpendicular bisector.(1 point)
Responses which response is correct

A line segment has 2 end points. The left end point is A, and the right is B. A geometric compass is shown with the compass needle on point A and the pencil of the compass placed about two thirds of the way along line segment A B.
Image with alt text: A line segment has 2 end points. The left end point is A, and the right is B. A geometric compass is shown with the compass needle on point A and the pencil of the compass placed about two thirds of the way along line segment A B.

A straight line segment with end points A and B is shown. The left end point is A, and the right end point is B.
Image with alt text: A straight line segment with end points A and B is shown. The left end point is A, and the right end point is B.

Two arcs are bisected by line segment A B. The arcs intersect at points C above the midpoint of A B and D below the midpoint of A B. A line is drawn from point C to D through the midpoint, M, of A B forming a right angle.
Image with alt text: Two arcs are bisected by line segment A B. The arcs intersect at points C above the midpoint of A B and D below the midpoint of A B. A line is drawn from point C to D through the midpoint, M, of A B forming a right angle.

A line segment has 2 end points, A and B. Two arcs, one open to the left and one to the right, are bisected by the line segment A B to the right of its center and left of its center, respectively.
Image with alt text: A line segment has 2 end points, A and B. Two arcs, one open to the left and one to the right, are bisected by the line segment A B to the right of its center and left of its center, respectively.
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1 answer

The correct response that shows the first step in the construction of a perpendicular bisector is:

A line segment has 2 end points. The left end point is A, and the right is B. A geometric compass is shown with the compass needle on point A and the pencil of the compass placed about two thirds of the way along line segment A B.

In the construction of a perpendicular bisector, the first step involves placing the compass point on one endpoint (in this case, point A) and drawing an arc that extends beyond the midpoint of the line segment AB.