The formula c = √a^2 + b^2 represents the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle with side lengths a and b. Solve the equation for a. Show your work. That means get “a” all by itself on one side of the equation.
c = √ [a^2 + b^2] square both sides
c^2 = a^2 + b^2 subtract b^2 from both sides
c^2 - b^2 = a^2 take the positive root of both sides
√[c^2 - b^2 ] = √a^2
√[c^2 - b^2 ] = a
