So pythagorean theorem is an equation used for right triangles to find missing sides. The equation is
. Since we know that 82 is the hypotenuse and a and 80 are our legs, we can form the equation as such:
![a^2+80^2=82^2](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/iq2u1v5i47g5qf7m9rvfxmahce2a82jzve.png)
Firstly, solve the exponents:
![a^2+6400=6724](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/bfc8lbzsqwn6o5im5y5td2j1cs4bjkoufu.png)
Next, subtract 6400 on both sides:
![a^2=324](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/ctk6oq1c2f8nv5l7tuu7ux34wqs5zd85d3.png)
Next, square root both sides and your answer will be a = 18.