Difference between revisions of "2006 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 16"

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== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
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[[Circle]]s with [[center]]s <math>A</math> and <math>B</math> have [[radius |radii]] 3 and 8, respectively. A [[common internal tangent line | common internal tangent]] [[intersect]]s the circles at <math>C</math> and <math>D</math>, respectively. [[Line]]s <math>AB</math> and <math>CD</math> intersect at <math>E</math>, and <math>AE=5</math>. What is <math>CD</math>?
 
[[Circle]]s with [[center]]s <math>A</math> and <math>B</math> have [[radius |radii]] 3 and 8, respectively. A [[common internal tangent line | common internal tangent]] [[intersect]]s the circles at <math>C</math> and <math>D</math>, respectively. [[Line]]s <math>AB</math> and <math>CD</math> intersect at <math>E</math>, and <math>AE=5</math>. What is <math>CD</math>?
  
 
<math>\mathrm{(A) \ } 13\qquad\mathrm{(B) \ } \frac{44}{3}\qquad\mathrm{(C) \ } \sqrt{221}\qquad\mathrm{(D) \ } \sqrt{255}\qquad\mathrm{(E) \ } \frac{55}{3}\qquad</math>  
 
<math>\mathrm{(A) \ } 13\qquad\mathrm{(B) \ } \frac{44}{3}\qquad\mathrm{(C) \ } \sqrt{221}\qquad\mathrm{(D) \ } \sqrt{255}\qquad\mathrm{(E) \ } \frac{55}{3}\qquad</math>  
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[[Image:2006_AMC12A-16.png]]
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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
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[[Image:2006_AMC12A-16a.png]]
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<math>\angle AEC</math> and <math>\angle BED</math> are [[vertical angles]] so they are [[congruent (geometry) | congruent]], as are [[angle]]s <math>\angle ACE</math> and <math>\angle BDE</math> (both are [[right angle]]s because the radius and [[tangent line]] at a point on a circle are always [[perpendicular]]). Thus, <math>\triangle ACE \sim \triangle BDE</math>.
 
<math>\angle AEC</math> and <math>\angle BED</math> are [[vertical angles]] so they are [[congruent (geometry) | congruent]], as are [[angle]]s <math>\angle ACE</math> and <math>\angle BDE</math> (both are [[right angle]]s because the radius and [[tangent line]] at a point on a circle are always [[perpendicular]]). Thus, <math>\triangle ACE \sim \triangle BDE</math>.
  

Revision as of 17:55, 15 September 2007

Problem

Circles with centers $A$ and $B$ have radii 3 and 8, respectively. A common internal tangent intersects the circles at $C$ and $D$, respectively. Lines $AB$ and $CD$ intersect at $E$, and $AE=5$. What is $CD$?

$\mathrm{(A) \ } 13\qquad\mathrm{(B) \ } \frac{44}{3}\qquad\mathrm{(C) \ } \sqrt{221}\qquad\mathrm{(D) \ } \sqrt{255}\qquad\mathrm{(E) \ } \frac{55}{3}\qquad$

2006 AMC12A-16.png

Solution

2006 AMC12A-16a.png

$\angle AEC$ and $\angle BED$ are vertical angles so they are congruent, as are angles $\angle ACE$ and $\angle BDE$ (both are right angles because the radius and tangent line at a point on a circle are always perpendicular). Thus, $\triangle ACE \sim \triangle BDE$.

By the Pythagorean Theorem, line segment $CE = 4$. The sides are proportional, so $\frac{CE}{AC} = \frac{DE}{BD} \Rightarrow \frac{4}{3} = \frac{DE}{8}$. This makes $DE = \frac{32}{3}$ and $CD = CE + DE = 4 + \frac{32}{3} = \frac{44}{3} \Longrightarrow \mathrm{B}$.

See also

2006 AMC 12A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 15
Followed by
Problem 17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions