What is Compass (drafting)?
[[File:Drawing-a-circle-with-the-compasses.jpg|thumb|Using a compass to draw a circle]] A '''compass''' (or '''pair of compasses''') is a [[drawing]] [[tool]] that can be used to draw [[circle]]s or [[Arc (geometry)|arcs]], parts of circles. They can also be used to measure distances, in particular on [[map]]s. Compasses can be used for [[mathematics]], [[technical drawing|drafting]], [[navigation]], and more. Compasses are usually made of [[metal]], and have two parts called ''[[leg]]s'' meeting at a [[hinge]]. The legs can be moved apart or together to change the size of the circle. One part has a [[spike]], a sharp, pointy part at its end, and the other part has a [[pencil]] or a [[pen]]. There are two types of compasses: the mechanical compass and normal compass. The mechanical compass is a compass that has a mechanical pencil, and the normal compass is a compass that has a normal [[pen]] or [[pencil]] on it. To make the compass work, you need to change how far the pencil sticks out. A divider is a compass that has two parts with a spike, and is used to show measurements of distances and lengths. It is called a divider because it is used to divide (make smaller things from a bigger thing) a distance in two, using [[geometry]]. == Uses == Circles can be made by pressing the leg with the spike into the [[paper]], putting the pencil on the paper, and moving the pencil in the circle. To do this, you need to not to move the legs farther apart or closer together while you are drawing the circle. A circle can be made bigger or smaller by moving the legs farther apart or closer together. [[Distance]]s can be [[measure]]d on a map using dividers,compasses with two spikes. The distance between the spikes on the map shows a distance in [[reality]]. Measuring how many times the compasses fit between two things on the map shows the distance between those things. [[Compass and straightedge]] drawing is used to show things in [[Plane (mathematics)|plane]] geometry ([[geometry]] used on a flat area). Real compasses a