To construct a perpendicular bisector of a line segment, the first step involves using a compass to draw arcs from both endpoints of the segment. Here’s how you envision the diagram for this step:
- Draw a line segment: Label its endpoints as points A and B.
- Place the compass point on point A: Open the compass to a width greater than half the length of segment AB.
- Draw arcs: With the compass still set at the same width, draw an arc above and below the line segment (this creates two points).
- Repeat with point B: Move the compass to point B and draw two additional arcs (above and below the line segment) that intersect the arcs from point A.
The intersections of the arcs will be used in the next steps to draw the perpendicular bisector. The visual representation would clearly indicate the line segment AB, the compass arcs drawn from points A and B, and the points of intersection.
If you're looking at diagrams in a textbook or online, look for one that shows these initial arcs being drawn from both endpoints of the segment.
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