In a right triangle, a and b represent legs and c represents the hypotenuse. Determine the measure of side a if b = 84.5 in and c = 110.2 in. Express the answer to the nearest tenth inch.
Using the Pythagorean theorem, we have:
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Substituting the given values, we have:
a^2 + (84.5in)^2 = (110.2in)^2
a^2 + 7122.25in^2 = 12144.04in^2
a^2 = 5021.79in^2
a ≈ 70.9in
Therefore, the measure of side a is approximately 70.9 inches.