Go to content
You will need to be able to use straight edge and a pair of compasses to carry out constructions. Below, the steps for a standard construction are described and an interactive illustration of the construction is shown.
Change
 Steps  
All
Change
 Steps  
All
O
O
O
O
    
+
r
-
    

Summary/Background

A locus is a rule that describes where a point can be positioned on a graph or other diagram. A typical rule could be: all points 3cm from the point (2,5). This would be a circle. Or all points that are the same distance ("equidistant") from the points (1,3) and (5,4). This would be the straight line perpendicular to and bisecting the line between the points.

Software/Applets used on this page

JSXGraph
This page uses JSXGraph


JSXGraph is a cross-browser library for interactive geometry, function plotting, charting, and data visualization in a web browser. It is implemented completely in JavaScript, does not rely on any other library. It uses SVG and VML and is fully HTML5 compliant.

Glossary

circle

a conic curve with equation (x-a)²+(y-b)²=r²

edge

the line connecting two vertices of a graph, also known as arc or line.

function

A rule that connects one value in one set with one and only one value in another set.

graph

A diagram showing a relationship between two variables.
The diagram shows a vertical y axis and a horizontal x axis.

locus

A set of points that fit a given rule.

perpendicular

one line being at right angles to another.

rule

A method for connecting one value with another.

straight

The type of line produced by a linear equation.

Full Glossary List

This question appears in the following syllabi:

SyllabusModuleSectionTopicExam Year
AQA GCSE (9-1) Foundation (UK)G: Properties and ConstructionsG2: Problem Solving with Ruler and CompassLoci-
CIE IGCSE (9-1) Maths (0626 UK)3 GeometryC3.8 Problem Solving with LociLoci-
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Foundation (UK)G: Properties and ConstructionsG2: Problem Solving with Ruler and CompassLoci-
GCSE Foundation (UK)GeometryConstructionLoci-
OCR GCSE (9-1) Foundation (UK)8: Basic Geometry8.02d: LociLoci-
Universal (all site questions)CConstructionLoci-