To solve this you will you the Pythagorean Theorem. the equation for the Pythagorean Theorem is a²+b²=c². fill in the information you have: a²+3²=5² now solve for a: a²+9=25 -9 -9 a²=16 √a²=√16 a=4 The length of the side a of the right triangle is 4. Hope I helped...