\[Схематический\ рисунок.\]
\[Дано:\ \ \]
\[AB = a;\]
\[AE = EC;\]
\[BF = FC.\]
\[Найти:\]
\[\text{EF.}\]
\[Решение.\]
\[1)\ Отрезок\ AC:\]
\[AC = AE + EC;\ \ \ \]
\[AE = EC;\]
\[AC = EC + EC = 2EC.\]
\[2)\ Отрезок\ CB:\]
\[CB = CF + FB;\ \ \ \]
\[CF = FB;\]
\[CB = CF + CF = 2CF.\]
\[3)\ Отрезок\ EF:\]
\[EF = EC + CF\]
\[2ED = 2EC + 2CF\]
\[2ED = AC + CB = AB\]
\[2ED = a\]
\[ED = \frac{a}{2}.\]
\[\ Ответ:\ \ \frac{a}{2}.\]