Try this beautiful problem from American Mathematics Competitions, AMC 10A, 2004 based on Geometry: Length of a Tangent.
Square \(ABCD\) has a side length \(2\). A Semicircle with diameter \(AB\) is constructed inside the square, and the tangent to the semicircle from \(C\) intersects side \(AD\)at \(E\). What is the length of \(CE\)?
Square
Semi-circle
Geometry
Answer: \(\frac{5}{2}\)
AMC-10A (2004) Problem 22
Pre College Mathematics
We have to find out length of \(CE\).Now \(CE\) is a tangent of inscribed the semi circle .Given that length of the side is \(2\).Let \(AE=x\).Therefore \(DE=2-x\). Now \(CE\) is the tangent of the semi-circle.Can you find out the length of \(CE\)?
Can you now finish the problem ..........
Since \(EC\) is tangent,\(\triangle COF\) \(\cong\) \(\triangle BOC\) and \(\triangle EOF\) \(\cong\) \(\triangle AOE\) (By R-H-S law).Therefore \(FC=2\) & \( EC=x\).Can you find out the length of \(EC\)?
can you finish the problem........
Now the \(\triangle EDC\) is a Right-angle triangle........
Therefore \(ED^2+ DC^2=EC^2\) \(\Rightarrow (2-x)^2 + 2^2=(2+x)^2\) \(\Rightarrow x=\frac{1}{2}\)
Hence \(EC=EF+FC=2+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{5}{2}\)
AMC - AIME Boot Camp... for brilliant students.
Use our exclusive one-on-one plus group class system to prepare for Math Olympiad
In 2026, the following Cheenta students have been successful for Indian Statistical Institute's M.Stat Entrance. They ranked within the first 50 in the entire country in these entrances. I.S.I. M.Stat Entrance
In 2026, the following Cheenta students have been successful for Indian Statistical Institute's B.Stat Entrance and Chennai Mathematical Institute's B.Sc. Math Entrance. They ranked within the first 200 in the entire country in these entrances. Most of these students attended the problem solving workshops regularly, which happen 5 days every week. CMI B.Sc. Math Entrance […]
In 2025, 8 students from Cheenta Academy cracked the prestigious Regional Math Olympiad. In this post, we will share some of their success stories and learning strategies. The Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO) and the Indian National Mathematics Olympiad (INMO) are two most important mathematics contests in India.These two contests are for the students who are […]
Cheenta Academy proudly celebrates the success of 27 current and former students who qualified for the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) 2025, advancing to the next stage — RMO. This accomplishment highlights their perseverance and Cheenta’s ongoing mission to nurture mathematical excellence and research-oriented learning.