Trapezium | AMC 10A ,2009 | Problem No 23

Pre College Mathematics

AMC-10A, 2009 Problem-23

$6$

Given that Convex quadrilateral $A B C D$ has $A B=9$ and $C D=12$. Diagonals $A C$ and $B D$ intersect at $E, A C=14$, and $\triangle A E D$ and $\triangle B E C$ have equal areas. we have to find out the length of \(AE\).

Now if we can show that \(\triangle AEB\) and \(\triangle DEC\) are similar then we can find out \(AE\)?

Can you find out?

Given that area of \(\triangle AED\) and area of \(\triangle BEC\) are equal. Now area of \(\triangle ABD\) = area of \(\triangle AED\) + \(\triangle ABE\)

Area of \(\triangle ABC\) = area of \(\triangle AEB\) + \(\triangle BEC\)

Therefore area of \(\triangle ABD\)= area of \(\triangle ABC\) [as area of \(\triangle AED\) and area of \(\triangle BEC\) are equal]

Since triangles $A B D$ and $A B C$ share a base, they also have the same height and thus $\overline{A B} || \overline{C D}$ and $\triangle A E B \sim \triangle C E D$ with a ratio of 3: 4

Can you finish the problem?

Therefore $A E=\frac{3}{7} \times A C,$ so $A E=\frac{3}{7} \times 14=6$