ClipArt ETC

This mathematics ClipArt gallery offers 213 illustrations of common geometric constructions. Geometric constructions are made with only the use of a compass and a straight edge. In addition to the constructions of different types of polygons, images include those used to show how to bisect a line, angle, and arc.

Illustration of a how to construct a square equivalent to the sum of two given squares.

Square Constructed to be Equal to the Sum of Two Given Squares

Illustration of a how to construct a square equivalent to the sum of two given squares.

Illustration of a how to construct a square equivalent to the difference of two given squares.

Square Constructed to be Equal to the Difference of Two Given Squares

Illustration of a how to construct a square equivalent to the difference of two given squares.

Illustration used to construct a square that shall be a multiple of any given square.

Construction of Multiple of a Square

Illustration used to construct a square that shall be a multiple of any given square.

Illustration used to construct a square that shall be in proportion to a given square.

Construction of Proportional Square

Illustration used to construct a square that shall be in proportion to a given square.

Illustration used to construct a square that shall be in proportion to a given square.

Construction of Proportional Square

Illustration used to construct a square that shall be in proportion to a given square.

Illustration used to show how to draw a straight line parallel to a straight line through a given point.

Parallel To Straight Line Construction

Illustration used to show how to draw a straight line parallel to a straight line through a given point.

Illustration used to show how to draw a perpendicular to a straight line from a given point on the line when the point is at or near the center of the line.

Perpendicular To Straight Line Construction

Illustration used to show how to draw a perpendicular to a straight line from a given point on the line…

Illustration used to show how to draw a perpendicular to a straight line from a given point on the line when the point is near the end of the line.

Perpendicular To Straight Line Construction

Illustration used to show how to draw a perpendicular to a straight line from a given point on the line…

Illustration used to show how to draw a perpendicular to a straight line from a given point that is not on the line and which lies nearly over the center of the line.

Perpendicular To Straight Line Construction

Illustration used to show how to draw a perpendicular to a straight line from a given point that is…

Illustration used to show how to draw a perpendicular to a straight line from a given point that is not on the line and which lies nearly over one end of the line.

Perpendicular To Straight Line Construction

Illustration used to show how to draw a perpendicular to a straight line from a given point that is…

Illustration used to show how to bisect a straight line.

Bisect A Straight Line

Illustration used to show how to bisect a straight line.

"An exercise in starting and stopping short lines. Draw three-inch square. Draw diagonals with 45-degree triangle. With scale lay off 3/8" spaces along the diagonals, from their intersection. With 45-degree triangle complete figure, finishing one-quarter at a time." —French, 1911

Drawing Street Paving Intersection

"An exercise in starting and stopping short lines. Draw three-inch square. Draw diagonals with 45-degree…

An illustration showing how to construct a talon, or two circle arcs that will tangent themselves, and meet two parallel lines at right angles in the given points A and B. "Join A and B; divide AB into four equal parts erect perpendiculars; then m and n are the centers of the circle arcs of the required talon."

Construction Of A Talon

An illustration showing how to construct a talon, or two circle arcs that will tangent themselves, and…

"Draw a circle three inches in diameter. Divide the circumference into five equal parts by trial with dividers. From these points draw radial lines and divide each into four equal parts with spacers. With these points as centers draw the semicircles as shown The radial lines are not to be inked." —French, 1911

Drawing Tangent Arcs with Compass and Dividers

"Draw a circle three inches in diameter. Divide the circumference into five equal parts by trial with…

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent between 2 given circles. "Join the centers C and c of the given circles; draw the dotted circle arcs, and join the crossing m, n, which line cuts the center line at a. With aC as diameter, draw the half circle afC; and with ac as a diameter, draw the half circle cea; then the crossings e and f are the tangenting points of the circles."

Construction Of Tangent Between 2 Circles

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent between 2 given circles. "Join the centers C and…

"On base AB, 3 1/2" long construct an equilateral triangle, using the 60-degree triangle. Bisect the angles with the 30-degree angle, extending the bisectors to the opposite sides. With these middle points of the sides as centers and radius equal to 1/2 the side, draw arcs cutting the bisectors. These intersection will be centers for the inscribed circles. With centers on the intersection of these circles and the bisectors, round off the points of the triangle as shown." —French, 1911

Drawing Tangent Circles and Lines with Compass and Triangles

"On base AB, 3 1/2" long construct an equilateral triangle, using the 60-degree triangle. Bisect the…

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent to 2 given circles of different diameters. "Join the centers C and c of the given circles, and extend the line to D; draw the radii AC and ac parallel with one another. Join Aa, and extend the line to D. On CD as a diameter, draw the half circle CeD; on cD as a diameter, draw the half circle cfD; then the crossings e and f are the tangenting points of the circles."

Construction Of Tangent To 2 Circles

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent to 2 given circles of different diameters. "Join…

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent circle to 2 given circles. "Join centers C and c of the given circles, and extend the line to D; draw the radii AC and ac parallel with one another. Join Aa, and extend the line to D. On CD as a diameter, draw the half circle CeD; on cD as a diameter, draw the half circle cfD; then the crossings e and f are tangenting points of the circles."

Construction Of Circle Tangent To 2 Circles

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent circle to 2 given circles. "Join centers C and c…

Illustration used to draw a tangent to a circle.

Construction of Tangent to a Circle

Illustration used to draw a tangent to a circle.

Illustration used to show how "to construct a tangent to a circle from a point outside."

Construction of a Tangent to a Circle

Illustration used to show how "to construct a tangent to a circle from a point outside."

"Draw one and one-half inch square about center of space. Divide AE into four 3/16" spaces, with scale. With bow pencil and centers A, B, C, D draw four semicircles with 3/8" radius and so on. Complete the figure by drawing the horizontal and vertical tangents as shown." —French, 1911

Drawing Tangent to Circle Arcs with Bow Compass

"Draw one and one-half inch square about center of space. Divide AE into four 3/16" spaces, with scale.…

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent to a circle through a given point in a circumference. "Through a given point A and center C, draw the line BC. With A as a center, draw the circle arcs B and C; with B and C as centers, draw the cross arcs D and E; then join D and E, which is the required tangent."

Construction Of Tangent To Circle

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent to a circle through a given point in a circumference.…

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent to a circle through a given point outside of a circumference. "Join A and C, and upon AC as a diameter draw the half circle ABC, which cuts the given circle at B. Join A and B, which is the required tangent."

Construction Of Tangent To Circle

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent to a circle through a given point outside of a circumference.…

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent circle to a circle with a given radius. "Through the given point C, draw the diameter AC extended beyond D: from C set off the given radius R to D; then D is the center of the required circle, which tangents the given circle at C."

Construction Of Circle Tangent To Circle

An illustration showing how to construct a tangent circle to a circle with a given radius. "Through…

The exercise problem of creating a three piece elbow development or rolled out image of the cylinder using projections or with dividers.

Development Exercise of Cylinder using Three Piece Elbow

The exercise problem of creating a three piece elbow development or rolled out image of the cylinder…

Illustration used to construct a triangle given the length of the base and the two base angles.

Construction of Triangle Given Angles and Base

Illustration used to construct a triangle given the length of the base and the two base angles.

Illustration used to show how to draw a triangle when given two sides and the included angle of the triangle.

Construction Of Triangle

Illustration used to show how to draw a triangle when given two sides and the included angle of the…

Illustration used to construct an equilateral triangle on a given base.

Construction of an Equilateral Triangle

Illustration used to construct an equilateral triangle on a given base.

Illustration used to circumscribe a circle about a given triangle.

Construction Used to Circumscribe a Circle About a Triangle

Illustration used to circumscribe a circle about a given triangle.

Illustration used to escribe a circle to a given triangle. "A circle which is tangent to one side of a triangle and to the the other two sides prolonged is said to be escribed to the triangle."

Construction Used to Escribe a Circle to a Triangle

Illustration used to escribe a circle to a given triangle. "A circle which is tangent to one side of…

Illustration used to inscribe a circle in a given triangle.

Construction Used to Inscribe a Circle in a Triangle

Illustration used to inscribe a circle in a given triangle.

Exercise problem to develop, or rolled out, image of the triangular pyramid by creating an equal length of the edges of each triangle.

Development Exercise of Triangular Pyramid

Exercise problem to develop, or rolled out, image of the triangular pyramid by creating an equal length…

An illustration showing how to construct two circles that tangent themselves and two given lines. "Draw the center line AB between the given lines; assume D to be the tangenting point of the circles; draw DC at right angles to AB. With C as center and CD as radius, draw the circle EDF. From E, draw Em at right angles to EF; and from F draw Fm at right angles to FE; then m and n are the centers for the required circles."

Construction Of Two Circles That Tangent Themselves and 2 Given Lines

An illustration showing how to construct two circles that tangent themselves and two given lines. "Draw…