the length of AB is 20 in the figure shown. what is the length of AE?

To find the length of AE in the given figure, we can use trigonometry and the information provided.
Given:
- AB = 20 units
- Angle A = 30°
We need to use trigonometric ratios to find the length of AE. Since we have the angle and the side adjacent to it (AB), we can use the cosine function.
\[ \cos(\text{angle}) = \frac{\text{adjacent side}}{\text{hypotenuse}} \]
In this case, the adjacent side is AB and the hypotenuse would be AC. To find AC, we can use the cosine function:
\[ \cos(30°) = \frac{AB}{AC} \]
\[ \cos(30°) = \frac{20}{AC} \]
Since the cosine of 30° is \( \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \), we can substitute this value into the equation:
\[ \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = \frac{20}{AC} \]
Now, we can solve for AC:
\[ AC = \frac{20}{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} \]
\[ AC = \frac{20 \times 2}{\sqrt{3}} \]
\[ AC = \frac{40}{\sqrt{3}} \]
\[ AC = \frac{40\sqrt{3}}{3} \]
Therefore, the length of AC is \( \frac{40\sqrt{3}}{3} \) units.