Question

Square $ABCD$ has side length $2.$ A semicircle with diameter $\overline{AB}$ is constructed inside the square, and the tangent to the semicircle from $C$ intersects side $\overline{AD}$ at $E.$ What is the length of $\overline{CE}?$

$\dfrac{2 + \sqrt{5}}{2}$

$\sqrt{5}$

$\sqrt{6}$

$\dfrac{5}{2}$

$5 - \sqrt{5}$

Answer: D

Concepts:tangent line Pythagorean Theorem

Difficulty rating: 1790

Solution:

Let $F$ be the point where $CE$ touches the semicircle and let $x = AE.$ Since tangents from a point are equal, $CF = CB = 2$ and $EF = EA = x,$ so $CE = 2 + x.$

In right triangle $CDE,$ we have $DE = 2 - x$ and $DC = 2,$ so $(2 - x)^2 + 2^2 = (2 + x)^2.$ This gives $x = \dfrac{1}{2},$ hence $CE = 2 + \dfrac{1}{2} = \dfrac{5}{2}.$

Thus, the correct answer is D.

2004 AMC 10A Problem 22

Answer: D

Difficulty rating: 1790

Solution:

Problem 22 in Other Years