△ABD∽△ABC
1)∠ADE = ∠B,∠AED = ∠C
∴AD:AB = AE:AC
∴4:12 = AE:18
∴AE = 6cm
2)∠ADE = ∠C,∠AED = ∠B
∴AD:AC = AE :AB
∴4:18 = AE:12
∴AE = 8/3 cm
∴AE = 6cm或8/3cm
△ABD∽△ABC
1)∠ADE = ∠B,∠AED = ∠C
∴AD:AB = AE:AC
∴4:12 = AE:18
∴AE = 6cm
2)∠ADE = ∠C,∠AED = ∠B
∴AD:AC = AE :AB
∴4:18 = AE:12
∴AE = 8/3 cm
∴AE = 6cm或8/3cm