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Answer:
a = 12 units.
Explanation:
Using the Pythagorean Theorem (c² = a² + b²), where
c = length of the Hypotenuse
a = length of the shorter leg
b = length of the longer leg
We can calculate the length of "a" by substituting in the values into the equation:
c = 15
a = "x"
b = 9
----------------
15² = x² + 9²
Simplify the squares:
225 = x² + 81
225 - 81 = x²
144 = x²
Take the square root of both sides:
√144 = x
x = 12 units.
Therefore, the length of a = 12 units.