Asked by peter

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
Answered by Reiny
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.
Answered by peter
square root(a+36+16+9)=15
Answered by peter
I don't know how to translate word to math
Answered by Reiny
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
Answered by peter
ok, I understand now , thank you