To calculate the length of one of the shorter sides, substitute any lengths into the Pythagoras' theorem formula and then rearrange to make \(a^2\) or \(b^2\) the subject.

Then take the square root to calculate the length of \(a\) or \(b\).

Calculate the length \(a\).

\(c^2 = a^2 + b^2\)

\(10^2 = a^2 + 8^2\)

\(100 = a^2 + 64\)

Subtract 64 from both sides to make \(a^2\) the subject:

\(100 - 64 = a^2\)

\(36 = a^2\)

\(a = \sqrt{36}\)

\(a = 6~\text{cm}\)