Answer: [tex]a=\sqrt{60}[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve for a, we want to use Pythagorean Theorem as provided int eh problem. a and 2 are the legs while 8 is the hypotenuse.
[tex]a^2+2^2=8^2[/tex] [exponent]
[tex]a^2+4=64[/tex] [subtract both sides by 4]
[tex]a^2=60[/tex] [square root both sides]
[tex]a=\sqrt{60}[/tex]
Now we know that [tex]a=\sqrt{60}[/tex].
