解:∵$AD$平分$∠BAC,$∴$∠BAD = ∠CAD$
∵$DE//AC,$∴$∠CAD = ∠ADE$
∴$∠BAD = ∠ADE,$∴$AE = DE$
∵$BD⊥AD,$∴$∠ADB = 90°$
∴$∠BAD + ∠ABD = 90°,$$∠ADE + ∠BDE = 90°$
∴$∠ABD = ∠BDE,$∴$DE = BE$
∴$DE = BE = AE = \frac 12\ \mathrm {A}B$
∵$AB = 5,$∴$DE = 2.5$