If # (a,b,c,d) means you take the positive value of the square root of each term, then add the resulting values, and # (a,36,16,9)=15, then a = ?

please explain

How about you giving this one a try ?

Just follow the steps they told you to take,
let me know what you get, and how you got it.

square root(a+36+16+9)=15

I don't know how to translate word to math

No, you did not follow the instructions,

it says ...
take the square root of each number , THEN add them up, so

√a + √36 + √ 16 + √9 = 15
√a + 6 + 4 + 3 = 15
√a = 2
a = 4

ok, I understand now , thank you

To find the value of "a", we need to use the given equation:

#(a, 36, 16, 9) = 15

Let's break down the equation step by step:

1. Start with #(a, 36, 16, 9).
2. According to the given rule, take the positive value of the square root of each term: #(√a, √36, √16, √9).
3. Simplify: #(√a, 6, 4, 3).
4. Add the resulting values together: √a + 6 + 4 + 3 = 15.

Now, our equation is:

√a + 6 + 4 + 3 = 15

To solve for "a," we need to isolate the term with "a" on one side of the equation. Let's proceed with the steps:

1. Subtract 6, 4, and 3 from both sides of the equation to move those terms to the other side:
√a = 15 - 6 - 4 - 3

2. Simplify:
√a = 2

3. To eliminate the square root, square both sides of the equation:
(√a)^2 = 2^2

4. Simplify:
a = 4

Therefore, the value of "a" is 4.