b is the midpoint of ac , d is the midpoint of ce and ae = 29 find bd

Question

x ce bd ae 

 

Answer 1

First, we draw our line.

 

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

a                                                                                                            e

 

 

Next, break up this line into segments using the information.

 

|----------------------|----------------------|--------------------|------------------|

a                            b                            c                         d                      e

 

 

The entire line is 29.

 

ab + bc + cd + de = ae

ab + bc + cd + de = 29

 

You also know that

 

bd = bc + cd

 

 

Due to midpoint theorem,

 

ab = bc

cd = de

 

 

Then,

 

2ab + 2cd = 29

 

 

The equations we will use are

 

bd = bc + cd                       eq1

2bc + 2cd = 29                   eq2

 

 

Dividing both sides of the equation in eq2 yields

 

bc + cd = 14.5

 

bd = bc + cd

bd = 14.5