2005 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 6

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\== Problem == In $\triangle ABC$, we have $AC=BC=7$ and $AB=2$. Suppose that $D$ is a point on line $AB$ such that $B$ lies between $A$ and $D$ and $CD=8$. What is $BD$?

Solution

Draw height $CH$. We have that $BH=1$. From the Pythagorean Theorem, $CH=\sqrt{48}$. Since $CD=8$, $HD=\sqrt{8^2-48}=\sqrt{16}=4$, and $BD=HD-1$, so $BD=\boxed{3}$.

See also