Question

Trapezoid $ABCD$ has $AD \parallel BC,$ $BD = 1,$ $\angle DBA = 23^\circ,$ and $\angle BDC = 46^\circ.$ The ratio $BC : AD$ is $9 : 5.$ What is $CD?$

$\dfrac{7}{9}$

$\dfrac{4}{5}$

$\dfrac{13}{15}$

$\dfrac{8}{9}$

$\dfrac{14}{15}$

Answer: B

Concepts:angle bisector theorem trapezoid parallel lines

Difficulty rating: 1800

Solution:

Draw the line through $D$ parallel to $AB,$ meeting $BC$ at $E,$ so $ABED$ is a parallelogram with $BE = AD.$ Then $\angle BDE = \angle DBA = 23^\circ,$ and since $\angle BDC = 46^\circ,$ segment $DE$ bisects $\angle BDC.$

By the angle bisector theorem in $\triangle BDC,$ $\dfrac{EC}{BE} = \dfrac{DC}{DB},$ so $\begin{aligned} CD &= DB \cdot \dfrac{BC - AD}{AD} \\ &= 1 \cdot \left(\dfrac{9}{5} - 1\right) \\ &= \dfrac{4}{5}. \end{aligned}$

Thus, the correct answer is B.

2009 AMC 12B Problem 16

Answer: B

Difficulty rating: 1800

Solution:

Problem 16 in Other Years