HOW TO MAKE A CIRCLE.
Many of the operations described in this book require the making of circles of various sizes.
Those readers who own a pair of dividers, especially if they are furnished with a pencil-holder, will find this an easy matter. Those who are not as fortunate may be glad to learn the following ready way of describing circles accurately to any size desired.
One of the common substitutes for dividers is a loop of string or thread passed around the pencil-point, and a pin inserted in the center of the proposed circle. This is a tiresome and vexatious method, as it is difficult to tie the loop at just the right length when a circle of a specified size is to be made, the stretching of the thread adding to the perplexity. The loop is also very ready to slip up and down on the pencil or pin, making it altogether a matter of unusual good fortune to obtain a satisfactory result.
The better way is to take a strip of stout paper or thin card, about half an inch wide and a little more than half the length of the circle’s diameter. A strip cut from a postal card will serve the purpose admirably.
Near one end of this make a hole large enough for the insertion of the pencil-point. Toward the other end make a pinhole, the distance of which from the first hole must be half the diameter of the circle required. Stick a pin through this hole into the center of your proposed circle; place the pencil-point in the other, and you can achieve your result with accuracy and ease.
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