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Answer:
AE = CE = 12 in
Step-by-step explanation:
Angles BDF and BCF are base angles of their respective isosceles triangles. That means the a.pex angle of each, DBF and ABC respectively is ...
180° -2×30° = 120°
In your diagram, BC is 120° from the -x axis, so is 60° from the +x axis. It bisects the angle DBE. Similarly, BE is 120° from the +x axis, so is 60° from the -x axis. It bisects angle ABC. In an isosceles triangle, the a.pex angle bisector is an altitude and is the perpendicular bisector of the base segment. Any point on that line is equidistant from the base vertices.
Point C lies on the perpendicular bisector of DE, so CD ≅ CE = 12 in.
Point E lies on the perpendicular bisector of AC, so EC ≅ EA = 12 in.
The measurements of interest are ...
AE = CE = 12 in.
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<em>Additional comment</em>
Point F serves no purpose except to confuse the issue. Each of the angles that reference point F could be described equally well using a different point:
∠BDF = ∠BDE
∠BCF = ∠BCA
This makes it more obvious that the triangles of interest are similar.