We have to use pythagorean theorem. The equation is [tex] a^{2} + b^{2} = c^{2} [/tex] so we plug in the numbers (hypothenuse is always C in the equation) [tex] a^{2} + 8^{2} =10^{2}[/tex] now we solve:
[tex] a^{2} +64=100 [/tex] Exponents
[tex] a^{2} =36[/tex] Subtract
a=6 Square Root
x=6 Answer