Practical Geometry is an essential chapter in the CBSE Class 6 Mathematics curriculum that introduces students to the art of constructing geometric shapes using various tools and techniques. This chapter focuses on developing the practical skills needed to construct different geometrical figures accurately.
Chapter 14 "Practical Geometry" in the NCERT Class 6 Mathematics textbook explores the methods of constructing geometrical shapes using basic tools. The chapter builds upon the knowledge of shapes students have acquired in previous chapters and translates it into practical skills.
Understanding Practical Geometry is crucial as it forms the foundation for more complex geometrical constructions in higher classes. It enhances spatial reasoning, precision, and measurement skills among students.
The chapter covers several fundamental concepts related to geometric constructions:
The chapter introduces students to various tools used in Practical Geometry:
One of the first constructions covered in this chapter is the construction of line segments of given lengths. Here's a step-by-step approach:
Step 1: Draw a line segment of arbitrary length greater than 5.3 cm.
Step 2: Mark a point A on this line.
Step 3: Place the compass with its sharp end at point A and the pencil at 5.3 cm marking on the ruler.
Step 4: With the compass, mark another point B on the line.
Step 5: The segment AB is now 5.3 cm long.
The chapter explains how to construct circles when the radius is given:
Step 1: Draw a point O to mark the center.
Step 2: Place the compass with its sharp end at O and the pencil at 3.2 cm marking on the ruler.
Step 3: Keeping the compass fixed, rotate it 360 to complete the circle.
The resulting figure is a circle with center O and radius 3.2 cm.
The chapter covers the construction of different types of angles using a protractor and compass:
Step 1: Draw a ray OA.
Step 2: Place the center of the protractor at point O.
Step 3: Align the base line of the protractor with ray OA.
Step 4: Mark a point B corresponding to 75 on the protractor.
Step 5: Draw a ray OB passing through point B.
The angle AOB now measures 75.
The chapter explains several methods to construct triangles based on different given criteria:
Step 1: Draw a line segment AB = 6 cm.
Step 2: With A as center, draw an arc of radius 4 cm.
Step 3: With B as center, draw another arc of radius 5 cm intersecting the previous arc at point C.
Step 4: Join AC and BC.
The resulting ABC is the required triangle with sides 4 cm, 5 cm, and 6 cm.
Step 1: Draw a line segment AB = 4 cm.
Step 2: At point A, construct an angle of 60.
Step 3: Along the new ray from A, mark AC = 5 cm.
Step 4: Join BC.
The resulting ABC is the required triangle.
Step 1: Draw a line segment BC = 5 cm.
Step 2: At point B, construct an angle of 45.
Step 3: At point C, construct an angle of 60 on the same side of BC.
Step 4: Mark the intersection point of the two rays as A.
The resulting ABC is the required triangle.
The chapter teaches how to construct the perpendicular bisector of a line segment:
Step 1: Draw a line segment AB = 6 cm.
Step 2: With A as center and radius more than half of AB, draw an arc above and below AB.
Step 3: With B as center and the same radius, draw arcs intersecting the previous arcs at C and D.
Step 4: Join CD, which intersects AB at O.
CD is the perpendicular bisector of AB, and O is the midpoint of AB.
Step 1: Draw an angle AOB of 70.
Step 2: With O as center and a convenient radius, draw an arc to intersect OA and OB at points C and D respectively.
Step 3: With C as center and a radius more than half of CD, draw an arc.
Step 4: With D as center and the same radius, draw another arc intersecting the previous arc at point E.
Step 5: Draw ray OE.
OE is the bisector of angle AOB, dividing it into two angles of 35 each.
Throughout the chapter, several important properties are introduced:
Note: The perpendicular bisector of a line segment is the line that is perpendicular to the segment and divides it into two equal parts.
Note: The angle bisector of an angle is the line that divides the angle into two equal parts.
Note: Two line segments are congruent if they have equal lengths.
Note: Two angles are congruent if they have equal measures.
To master Practical Geometry, students should practice these common exercise types:
Practical Geometry has numerous real-world applications:
Practical Geometry is a foundational chapter that equips students with essential mathematical skills. Mastery of geometric constructions not only helps in mathematics but also develops problem-solving abilities and spatial reasoning that are valuable across various disciplines. With consistent practice and attention to detail, students can achieve proficiency in the concepts covered in this chapter.
For further practice and understanding of Practical Geometry, students can refer to:
