Common Core: High School - Geometry : Construct Geometric Figures: CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.D.12

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: High School - Geometry

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

All Common Core: High School - Geometry Resources

6 Diagnostic Tests 114 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Construct Geometric Figures: Ccss.Math.Content.Hsg Co.D.12

How is a square altered to result in a rhombus?

Possible Answers:

Rotate the square 

Change the length of the sides

Change the vertical distance between the two horizontal lines.

A square can never be a rhombus

Change the interior angles.

Correct answer:

Change the interior angles.

Explanation:

Both squares and rhombi are quadrilaterals and parallelograms. Quadrilaterals are four sided figures and parallelograms are figures that have opposite sides that are parallel.

Squares by definition contain four  angles; rhombi on the other hand have two sets of opposite congruent angles. Therefore, for a square to to altered into a rhombus, the interior angles must be altered.

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 11.01.47 amScreen shot 2016 06 16 at 11.02.00 am

Example Question #1 : Construct Advanced Geometric Figures

Given the following ray, construct an angle that is .

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 8.20.52 am

Possible Answers:

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 8.21.53 am

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 8.22.07 am

None of the other answers.

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 8.22.49 am

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 8.21.47 am

Correct answer:

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 8.21.47 am

Explanation:

In order to construct a  angle using a ray, first recall what a  angle and ray are.

An angle in the most basic terms is when two rays having the same vertex, are going in different directions.

Now, recall that a  angle occurs when the lines or rays of the angle intersect perpendicularly.

Since the problem gives the starting ray,

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 8.20.52 am

which is a horizontal ray, then to create a  angle, a vertical ray needs to be constructed from the same vertex. To identify a  angle it is common practice to draw a square at the vertex to show the angle measurement. This results in the final solution.

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 8.21.47 am

Example Question #2 : Construct Advanced Geometric Figures

Given a line, what is the first step taken to construct a parallel line?

Possible Answers:

Identify the two lines intersection point.

Find the -intercept of the given line.

Take the negative reciprocal of the given line's slope.

Find the -intercept of the given line.

Calculate the slope of the given line.

Correct answer:

Calculate the slope of the given line.

Explanation:

To identify the first step that must be taken when constructing a parallel line, there is some information about the given line that needs to be clearly established first.

First recall what it means to be parallel. For lines to be parallel, their slopes must be equal and they must have different  and  intercepts. If two lines have the same intercepts and the same slope they are not parallel lines, they are the same line. Parallel lines mean that two lines will never intersect.

From here, look at the possible answers to decide which one is best.

"Identify the two lines intersection point." by definition of parallel lines this is false since parallel lines never intersect.

"Find the -intercept of the given line." and "Find the -intercept of the given line." could possible be considered among the steps to constructing parallel lines but not necessarily.

"Take the negative reciprocal of the given line's slope." Taking this would give the slope of a perpendicular line.

"Calculate the slope of the given line." in order to construct a parallel line, the slope must first be calculated on the given line. Therefore, this is the best answer.

Example Question #3 : Construct Advanced Geometric Figures

Given a line, what is the first step taken to construct a perpendicular line?

Possible Answers:

Find the -intercept of the given line.

Calculate the slope of the given line.

Take the negative reciprocal of the given line's slope.

Either calculate the slope of the given line or identify the intersection point of the two lines.

Identify the two lines intersection point.

Correct answer:

Either calculate the slope of the given line or identify the intersection point of the two lines.

Explanation:

To identify the first step that must be taken when constructing a perpendicular line, there is some information about the given line that needs to be clearly established first.

First recall what it means to be perpendicular. For lines to be perpendicular, their slopes must be opposite reciprocals of each other and they must have one point of intersection.

From here, look at the possible answers to decide which one is best.

"Find the -intercept of the given line."  doesn't necessarily help when constructing a perpendicular line.

"Take the negative reciprocal of the given line's slope." Taking this would give the slope of a perpendicular line but in order to do so the slope must be known of the given line.

"Calculate the slope of the given line." in order to construct a perpendicular line, the slope must be calculated on the given line.

"Either calculate the slope of the given line or identify the intersection point of the two lines." In order to construct a perpendicular line, the intersection point must be found and the slope of the given line must be found before the slope of the perpendicular line is found. Therefore, this is the best answer.

Example Question #4 : Construct Advanced Geometric Figures

To construct a regular pentagon, what tools are required?

Possible Answers:

Straight Edge, Pencil, Paper, Measuring Device

Straight Edge, Compass, Pencil, Paper, Measuring Device

Compass, Pencil, Paper, Measuring Device

Straight Edge, Compass, Pencil, Measuring Device

Straight Edge, Compass, Pencil, Paper

Correct answer:

Straight Edge, Compass, Pencil, Paper, Measuring Device

Explanation:

In order to know which tools are required to construct a regular pentagon first recall the attributes of a pentagon and the possible geometric tools used to construct figures.

A regular pentagon by definition is a five sided figure. All sides of the figure are equal and every interior angle measures .

Geometric tools used to construct figures by hand include the follow:

Paper, Pencil, Compass, Ruler, Straight Edge, Protractor, Etc.

Geometric tools used to construct figures using technology include the following: 

Graphing Calculators, Computer Programs, Etc.

Since the figure in question is a regular pentagon, to construct it by hand will require the use of a compass to ensure the angles are all equaled to . Also, a straight edge is required to ensure the lines are straight and a measuring device such as a rule to ensure the side lengths are equal. 

Of the possible answer choices, three list the Straight Edge, Compass, and Measuring Device. If these tools are being used then the figure is being drawn by hand therefore, pencil and paper are also required. Therefore, the correct solution is:

"Straight Edge, Compass, Pencil, Paper, Measuring Device"

Example Question #5 : Construct Advanced Geometric Figures

Given two rays, how can a line be constructed?

Possible Answers:

Connect the vertices of the rays and have their directions point  from each other.

Connect the vertices of the rays and have their directions point  from each other.

Two rays cannot be constructed into one line.

Have their directions point  from each other.

None of the other answers.

Correct answer:

Connect the vertices of the rays and have their directions point  from each other.

Explanation:

Recall that a ray is a line segment that has a vertex at one end and extends at the other. The extension is depicted by an arrow. In order for two rays to become one line segment the vertices must be connected and the arrows going in the opposite direction. For the rays to be going in the opposite direction they must have  angle between them.

Therefore, the correct answer is

"Connect the vertices of the rays and have their directions point  from each other."

Example Question #1 : Construct Basic Geometric Figures

What must occur to construct two  angles from a  angle?

Possible Answers:

Move the nonterminal ray of the angle up .

Move the nonterminal ray of the angle down .

Bisect the  in half.

Move the terminal ray of the angle up .

Move the terminal ray of the angle down .

Correct answer:

Bisect the  in half.

Explanation:

To construct two  angles from a  angle a bisection must occur. Recall that bisection means to cut an angle into two equal parts.

Since 

that makes a bisection of the  angle equal two  angles and thus is the solution.

Moving the terminal ray will not create two angles and thus it cannot be the solution.

Nonterminal is not the correct terminology and therefore, it cannot be the correct solution.

Example Question #1 : Construct Basic Geometric Figures

How are congruent lines identified in a parallelogram?

Possible Answers:

One single hash mark on one line and a double hash mark on the parallel line

None of the other answers

Either single or double hash marks

Single hash marks

Double hash marks

Correct answer:

Either single or double hash marks

Explanation:

Parallel lines by definition are lines that will never intersect one another. This means the slope of the lines are the same. When these lines make up a parallelogram figures that are created include squares, rectangles, diamonds, and rhombi.

Some images that depict parallelograms are as follows. Notice that either single or double hash marks can be used to identify that opposite lines are congruent.

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 11.01.47 amScreen shot 2016 06 16 at 11.02.00 am

Example Question #3 : Construct Basic Geometric Figures

Given the point , how would perpendicular lines be constructed?

Possible Answers:

Perpendicular lines are done by drawing a vertical line at  and a horizontal line at .

Perpendicular lines are done by drawing a vertical line at  and a horizontal line at .

Perpendicular lines are done by drawing a vertical line at  and a horizontal line at .

Perpendicular lines are done by drawing a vertical line at  and a horizontal line at .

Perpendicular lines are done by drawing a vertical line at  and a horizontal line at .

Correct answer:

Perpendicular lines are done by drawing a vertical line at  and a horizontal line at .

Explanation:

To construct perpendicular lines first recall what it means to be perpendicular.

Recall that perpendicular lines intersect at one point and have opposite, reciprocal slopes.

Plotting the given point is as follows:

 Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 12.19.39 pm

Given this point, there are numerous combinations of perpendicular lines that can be made. Looking at the possible options the only pair that intersect at the point  is when a vertical line is drawn at  and a horizontal line at .

Screen shot 2016 06 16 at 12.19.39 pm

Example Question #2 : Construct Basic Geometric Figures

Determine whether the statement is true or false:

Lines that have fractional slopes cannot be perpendicular to other lines.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

For two lines to be perpendicular they must intersect at one point and have the opposite reciprocals on each other. Having slopes that are opposite reciprocals creates a  angle between the two lines which is also by definition makes the two lines perpendicular.

Therefore, a line that has a fractional slope can also have a perpendicular line. If the line in question has a slope of  then the perpendicular line would have a slope of .

Thus, the statement, "Lines that have fractional slopes cannot be perpendicular to other lines." is false.

All Common Core: High School - Geometry Resources

6 Diagnostic Tests 114 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors