2016 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 23

Two congruent circles centered at points $A$ and $B$ each pass through the other circle's center. The line containing both $A$ and $B$ is extended to intersect the circles at points $C$ and $D$. The circles intersect at two points, one of which is $E$. What is the degree measure of $\angle CED$?

$\textbf{(A) }90\qquad\textbf{(B) }105\qquad\textbf{(C) }120\qquad\textbf{(D) }135\qquad \textbf{(E) }150$

Solution

Drawing the diagram, we see that $\triangle EAB$ is equilateral as each side is the radius of one of the two circles. Therefore, $\overarc{EB}=m\angle EAB-60^\circ$. Therefore, since it is an inscribed angle, $m\angle ECB=\frac{60^\circ}{2}=30^\circ$. So, in $\triangle ECD$, $m\angle ECB=m\angle EDA=30^\circ$, and $m\angle CED=180^\circ-30^\circ-30^\circ=120^\circ$. Our answer is $\boxed{\text{(C) }120}$.

2016 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 22
Followed by
Problem 24
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