Perpendicular Bisector

Perpendicular bisector is a line that divides a given line segment exactly into two halves forming 90 degrees angle at the intersection point. Perpendicular bisector passes through the midpoint of a line segment. It can be constructed using a ruler and a compass. It makes 90° on both sides of the line segment that is being bisected.

In this article, we will discuss the concept of the perpendicular bisector and learn how to construct it. We will also explore the perpendicular bisector of a triangle and its properties. We shall solve a few examples in the end for a better understanding of the concept.

A perpendicular bisector is a line that bisects a line segment in two equal parts and makes an angle of 90 degrees at the point of intersection. In other words, we can say that a perpendicular bisector divides a line segment at its midpoint making an angle of 90 degrees. Let us go through the formal definition of it in the next section to understand its meaning in a better way.

A perpendicular bisector is defined as a line or a line segment that divides a given line segment into two parts of equal measurement. 'Bisect' is the term used to describe dividing equally. Perpendicular bisectors intersect the line segment that they bisect and make four angles of 90° each on both sides. Perpendicular means a line or a line segment making an angle of 90° with another line or line segment. In the figure shown below, the perpendicular bisector bisects the line segment AB into two equal halves.

Perpendicular bisector on a line segment can be constructed easily using a ruler and a compass. The constructed perpendicular bisector divides the given line segment into two equal parts exactly at its midpoint and makes two congruent line segments.

Steps for Constructing Perpendicular Bisector

Follow the steps below to construct a perpendicular bisector of a line segment.

• Step 1: Draw a line segment XY of any suitable length.
• Step 2: Take a compass, and with X as the center and with more than half of the line segment XY as width, draw arcs above and below the line segment.
• Step 3: Repeat the same step with Y as the center.
• Step 4: Label the points of intersection as 'P' and 'Q'.
• Step 5: Join the points 'P' and 'Q'. The point at which the perpendicular bisector PQ intersects the line segment XY is its midpoint. Label it as 'O'.

The perpendicular bisector of a triangle is considered to be a line segment that bisects the sides of a triangle and is perpendicular to the sides. It is not necessary that they should pass through the vertex of a triangle but passes through the midpoint of the sides. The perpendicular bisector of the sides of the triangle is perpendicular at the midpoint of the sides of the triangle. The point at which all the three perpendicular bisectors meet is called the circumcenter of the triangle. There can be three perpendicular bisectors for a triangle (one for each side). The steps of construction of a perpendicular bisector for a triangle are shown below.

• Draw a triangle and label the vertices as A, B, and C.
• With B as the center and more than half of BC as radius, draw arcs above and below the line segment, BC. Repeat the same process without a change in radius with C as the center.
• Label the points of intersection of arcs as X and Y respectively and join them. This is the perpendicular bisector for one side of the triangle BC.
• Repeat the same process for sides AB and AC. All the three perpendicular bisectors make an angle of 90“ at the midpoint of each side.

The perpendicular bisector of a triangle after construction is shown below.XY, HG, and PQ are the perpendicular bisectors of sides BC, AC, and AB respectively.

Perpendicular bisectors can bisect a line segment or a line or the sides of a triangle. The important properties of a perpendicular bisector are listed below.

Perpendicular bisector,

• Divides a line segment or a line into two congruent segments.
• Divides the sides of a triangle into congruent parts.
• They make an angle of 90° with the line that is being bisected.
• They intersect the line segment exactly at its midpoint.
• The point of intersection of the perpendicular bisectors in a triangle is called its circumcenter.
• In an acute triangle, they meet inside a triangle, in an obtuse triangle they meet outside the triangle, and in right triangles, they meet at the hypotenuse.
• Any point on the perpendicular bisector is equidistant from both the ends of the segment that they bisect.
• Can be only one in number for a given line segment.

Important Notes on Perpendicular Bisector

• A perpendicular bisector is a line that divides a given line segment exactly into two halves forming 90 degrees angle at the intersection point.
• The perpendicular bisector of a triangle is considered to be a line segment that bisects the sides of a triangle and is perpendicular to the sides.
• Perpendicular bisector on a line segment can be constructed easily using a ruler and a compass.

☛ Related Articles

Given below is the list of topics that are closely connected to the perpendicular bisector. These topics will also give you a glimpse of how such concepts are covered in Cuemath.

• Perpendicular Bisector Theorem
• Perpendicular Bisector of a Chord
• Geometry

What is the Perpendicular Bisector in Geometry?

Perpendicular Bisector is a line segment that bisects a straight line segment into two congruent or equal segments. They divide the line segment exactly at its midpoint. Perpendicular bisector makes 90° with the line segment it bisects.

How Do You Construct Perpendicular Bisector With a Straight Edge and a Compass?

Perpendicular bisector is constructed using a straight ruler and a compass using the following steps:

• Draw a line segment AB of any length with a straight edge or a ruler.
• Using a compass, with A as the center and more than half of AB as radius draw arcs above and below the line segment AB.
• Repeat the above step with B as the center.
• Mark the points of intersection as P and Q.
• Join the points P and Q with a straight edge.
• The line connecting the points P and Q is the perpendicular bisector to the given line segment which makes 90° with it.

Can a Perpendicular Bisector always be a Median of a Triangle?

Perpendicular bisector can be a median of a triangle only in the case of an equilateral triangle. Median is a line segment joining the vertex of one side of the triangle to the midpoint of its opposite side. If the median line segment intersects the opposite side at exactly 90° then we can say that the median is a perpendicular bisector. Therefore, the median of a triangle can be a perpendicular bisector only if it makes 90 degrees with the side opposite to it.

What are the Properties of Perpendicular Bisector?

Few properties of the perpendicular bisector are listed below:

• Perpendicular bisector divides a line segment into congruent segments.
• They intersect a line segment or the side of a triangle exactly at its midpoint.
• Divides the sides of the triangle into two equal parts.
• Can be only one in number for a given line segment.
• Any point on the perpendicular bisector is equidistant from both the ends of the segment that they bisect.
• They make 90 degrees at the midpoint where it touches the line segment it bisects.

What is the Perpendicular Bisector Theorem?

Perpendicular bisector theorem states that any point on the perpendicular bisector is always equidistant to both the ends of the line segment to which it is perpendicular.

What is the Difference Between Perpendicular Bisector and Angle Bisector?

Perpendicular bisector divides a line segment into two equal halves, whereas, angle bisector divides a given angle into two congruent angles. For example, a perpendicular bisector to a line segment of measure 10 units makes two line segments of 5 units each, whereas, an angle bisector for a given angle of 60 degrees bisects the angle and makes two angles of 30 degrees each.

What is the Perpendicular Bisector of a Triangle?

Lines that divide the sides of the triangle into two congruent segments are called perpendicular bisectors of a triangle. There can be three perpendicular bisectors for a triangle. They all meet at a point called circumcenter. It is not necessary that they pass through the vertex of a triangle to its opposite side's midpoint. Sometimes the perpendicular bisectors originate from a point that is away from the vertex and intersects the opposite side exactly at its midpoint. In an equilateral triangle, the medians of the triangle are perpendicular bisectors as they make 90 degrees with their opposite sides.

What are the Properties of Perpendicular Bisector of a Chord?

Perpendicular bisector to a chord:

• Bisects the chord of a circle.
• Makes 90 degrees with the chord.
• Passes through the center of the circle.

How Many Perpendicular Bisector Can Be Constructed For a Line?

There can be only one perpendicular bisector constructed for a line. This is because there can be only one midpoint for a line. This fact is true because the perpendicular bisectors pass through the midpoint of a line or a line segment.