To isolate a in this equation, the eighth root of both sides can be taken:
8 = a^8
a ^ 8 = 8
\(\sqrt[8]{a^8} = \sqrt[8]{8}\)
8th power and 8th root cancel, giving us:
\(\sqrt[8]{a^8} = \sqrt[8]{8}\)
\(a = \sqrt[8]{8}\) ≈ 1.2968395546510097