AB and CD bisect each other at E. CE = x^2 - 3, AE = 6x - 10 and CD = 66. Find AB

3 answers

Since E is the midpoint, CE = 33 = x^2 - 3
x^2 = 69
x = √69

so AB = 2AE = 2(6x - 10)
= 12x - 20
= 12√69 - 20
CE = 33 = x^2 - 3
x^2 = 36
x = 6
...
well, 33 + 3 used to be 69 for unusually high values of 3.
(I was wondering about the irrational value of x that I ended up with)

Go with Steve's solution,