Power of a Point Theorem/Introductory Problem 4

Problem

(ARML) Chords $AB$ and $CD$ of a given circle are perpendicular to each other and intersect at a right angle at $E$ . Given that $BE = 16, DE = 4,$ and $AD = 5$ , find $CE$ .

Solution

$[asy] import olympiad; pair E = (0,0); pair A = (3,0); pair D = (0,4); pair B = (-16,0); pair C = (0,-12); dot("E", E, SW); dot("A", A, dir(0)); dot("D", D, N); dot("B", B, W); dot("C", C, SE); draw(A--D--E--cycle); draw(B--E); draw(C--E); label("5", A--D, NE); label("3", E--A, S); label("4", D--E, W); label("16", B--E, N); label("x", C--E, W); markscalefactor=0.1pt; draw(rightanglemark(D, E, A)); draw(circumcircle(B, D, A)); [/asy]$ $ADE$ is a right triangle with hypotenuse 5 and leg 4. Thus, by the Pythagorean Theorem, $AE = 3$ (or by just knowing your Pythagorean Triples). Applying the Power of a Point Theorem gives $AE\cdot BE = CE\cdot DE$ , or $3\cdot 16 = x\cdot 4$ . Solving gives $x = 12$ .

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Power of a Point Theorem/Introductory Problem 4

Problem

Solution