A divider is used to:

Concept

A divider is a geometric and drafting instrument with two pointed legs. The distance between its tips captures the span between two points.

That captured span can be transferred to another place or compared with a graduated scale to obtain a numerical length.

Application

1. Place the two tips at the endpoints of the given line segment.

2. Keep the opening unchanged so that it preserves the segment’s span.

3. Compare that opening with a ruler or graduated scale to read the segment’s length.

Contrast

• Drawing an angle normally uses a protractor or a compass-and-straightedge construction.

• Drawing a triangle requires constructing three connected sides from the given lengths or angles.

• Drawing a rectangle requires four right angles and two pairs of equal opposite sides.

• Measuring a line segment uses the divider’s two tips to capture the distance between the endpoints.

Cross-check

Both legs of a divider end in points rather than a pencil lead, so the instrument is suited to marking or transferring a span, not directly drawing the listed shapes.

Result

Therefore, a divider is used to measure the length of a line segment by transferring its span to a scale.