In the diagram, triangle ABE, triangle BCE and triangle CDE are right-angled, with angle AEB=angle BEC = angle CED = 60 degrees, and AE=24.
Find the length of CE.
Thank you so much!
The problem is easier than I first thought.
By the given information, we know that there are three right-angled triangles in the diagram. We know that m∠AEB=m∠BEC=m∠CED=60∘. We can use this information to determine that every right triangle is also a 30-60-90 triangle. We also know that AE=24.
A 30-60-90 triangle is a special kind of right triangle where the ratio of the side lengths are 1:√3:2. ¯AE is the longest side length because it is the hypotenuse of the largest right triangle in the diagram. ¯BE is the shortest side length of △ABE because this side is opposite the smallest angle. We mentioned earlier what the ratio of the side lengths are, so we can determine the length of ¯BE without doing anything too computationally demanding.
BEAE=12 | We already know the ratio of the side lengths of a 30-60-90 triangle, so we can apply this relationship and create a proportion. We already know what AE equals, so let's fill that in. |
BE24=12 | In order to solve a proportion, simply cross multiply. |
2BE=24 | Divide by 2 on both sides to determine the unknown length of the side. |
BE=12 | |
Of course, the ultimate goal is to figure out the length of ¯CE. If you look at △BCE, carefully, you will notice that we are in an identical situation to when we solved for BE. Notice that ¯BE is the hypotenuse of this triangle, and ¯CE is the shortest side length since it is opposite the 30º angle. We can use the same 1:√3:2 relationship of the side lengths to find the missing length.
CEBE=12 | Just like before, we know what the value of BE is, so let's plug it in! |
CE12=12 | Just like before, cross multiplying is the way to go! |
2CE=12 | Divide by 2 on both sides to solve this problem. |
CE=6 | |
The problem is easier than I first thought.
By the given information, we know that there are three right-angled triangles in the diagram. We know that m∠AEB=m∠BEC=m∠CED=60∘. We can use this information to determine that every right triangle is also a 30-60-90 triangle. We also know that AE=24.
A 30-60-90 triangle is a special kind of right triangle where the ratio of the side lengths are 1:√3:2. ¯AE is the longest side length because it is the hypotenuse of the largest right triangle in the diagram. ¯BE is the shortest side length of △ABE because this side is opposite the smallest angle. We mentioned earlier what the ratio of the side lengths are, so we can determine the length of ¯BE without doing anything too computationally demanding.
BEAE=12 | We already know the ratio of the side lengths of a 30-60-90 triangle, so we can apply this relationship and create a proportion. We already know what AE equals, so let's fill that in. |
BE24=12 | In order to solve a proportion, simply cross multiply. |
2BE=24 | Divide by 2 on both sides to determine the unknown length of the side. |
BE=12 | |
Of course, the ultimate goal is to figure out the length of ¯CE. If you look at △BCE, carefully, you will notice that we are in an identical situation to when we solved for BE. Notice that ¯BE is the hypotenuse of this triangle, and ¯CE is the shortest side length since it is opposite the 30º angle. We can use the same 1:√3:2 relationship of the side lengths to find the missing length.
CEBE=12 | Just like before, we know what the value of BE is, so let's plug it in! |
CE12=12 | Just like before, cross multiplying is the way to go! |
2CE=12 | Divide by 2 on both sides to solve this problem. |
CE=6 | |