Question 1125736
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<pre>
Square both sides to get


    a = {{{8 + 18 + 2*sqrt(8)*sqrt(18)}}} = {{{26 + 2*2*sqrt(2)*3*sqrt(2)}}} = 26 + 2*2*3*2 = 26 + 24 = 50.
</pre>

<U>Answer</U>.  &nbsp;&nbsp;a = 50.