use the compass and ruler to construct the perpendicular bisector of the line segment $overline{ab}$.

use the compass and ruler to construct the perpendicular bisector of the line segment $overline{ab}$.
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Set compass width
Open the compass to a width greater than half the length of $\overline{AB}$.
Step2: Draw arcs from A
Place the compass - point on A and draw arcs above and below the line segment $\overline{AB}$.
Step3: Draw arcs from B
Without changing the compass width, place the compass - point on B and draw arcs above and below the line segment $\overline{AB}$ to intersect the previous arcs.
Step4: Draw the perpendicular bisector
Use the ruler to draw a straight line through the two intersection points of the arcs. This line is the perpendicular bisector of $\overline{AB}$.
Answer:
The constructed line through the intersection - points of the arcs is the perpendicular bisector of $\overline{AB}$.