Materials needed:
– Compass
– Ruler
– Pencil
– Paper
Step 1: Draw a Circle
Take the compass and draw a circle on the paper. This will be the base of your pentagon. The size of the circle will determine the size of your pentagon. It is recommended to use a large piece of paper if you want to make a pentagon with straight edges.
Step 2: Find the Center of the Circle
Using the ruler, draw two that intersect each other. The intersection point will be the center of the circle. If you have trouble finding the exact center, you can draw a second circle with a smaller radius inside the first circle. The intersection of the two circles will be the center point.
Step 3: Draw the First Radius
Take the compass and adjust it to the length of the radius of the circle. Use the compass to draw a line from the center point to the edge of the circle. This line is called a radius. It will be one side of the pentagon.
Step 4: Draw the Second Radius
Without changing the length of the compass, draw a second radius starting from the end of the first radius. This will create an angle that is equal to one fifth of a full circle, or 72 degrees.
Step 5: Draw Five Radii
Repeat step 4 four more times, drawing a total of five radii that form equal angles around the center point. Each radius will intersect the circle to form a point. These points will be the vertices of the pentagon.
Step 6: Connect the Vertices
Using the ruler, draw straight lines connecting the vertices of the pentagon. You now have a complete regular pentagon.
Step 7: Erase Extra Lines and Clean Up
Erase the extra lines you drew and clean up the figure. You should have a perfect pentagon with five equal sides and five equal angles.
Conclusion
Making a pentagon requires precision and patience. This geometric figure can be challenging to create, but it can also be a fun and rewarding experience. By following these steps, you can make your own regular pentagon using basic drawing tools. Whether you are a math enthusiast, an artist, or simply enjoy geometry, creating a pentagon is a great way to exercise your skills and creativity.