bisect

Everyday

1. (maths) To cut or divide something into two equal parts. tree →
2. To cut across or through something, dividing it into two parts, not always equal. tree →

In the lessons

In geometry lessons, you bisect a line or an angle with a compass and ruler: a perpendicular bisector cuts a line in half at a right angle; an angle bisector cuts an angle into two equal angles. In geography, a road or river bisects a town.

Examples

• Use your compass to bisect the angle. tree →
• The line bisects the square into two rectangles. tree →
• A river bisects the city. tree →
• If you bisect a 90 degree angle, each part is 45 degrees. tree →
• The motorway bisects the farm. tree →
• Bisect the line AB and mark the midpoint. tree →

Note

Maths: bisecting gives two EQUAL halves: bisect 10 cm → 5 cm and 5 cm; bisect 60° → 30° and 30°. «Bi-» means two, «sect» means cut. Noun: bisection; a line that bisects is a bisector.