Question

Circles with centers $A$ and $B$ have radii $3$ and $8,$ respectively. A common internal tangent intersects the circles at $C$ and $D,$ respectively. Lines $AB$ and $CD$ intersect at $E,$ and $AE = 5.$ What is $CD?$

$13$

$\dfrac{44}{3}$

$\sqrt{221}$

$\sqrt{255}$

$\dfrac{55}{3}$

Answer: B

Concepts:similarity tangent line Pythagorean Theorem

Difficulty rating: 1760

Solution:

The radii satisfy $AC \perp CD$ and $BD \perp CD.$ By the Pythagorean theorem, $CE = \sqrt{5^2 - 3^2} = 4.$

Since $\triangle ACE \sim \triangle BDE,$ we get $\tfrac{DE}{CE} = \tfrac{BD}{AC} = \tfrac{8}{3},$ so $DE = 4 \cdot \tfrac{8}{3} = \tfrac{32}{3}.$ Then $\begin{gathered} CD = CE + DE \\ = 4 + \frac{32}{3} \\ = \frac{44}{3}. \end{gathered}$

Thus, the correct answer is B.

2006 AMC 12A Problem 16

Answer: B

Difficulty rating: 1760

Solution:

Problem 16 in Other Years