Verified answer

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

a^2 + 12^2 = 16^2

a^2 = 256 - 144

a^2 = 112

a^2 = 16 * 7

a = 4 * sqrt(7)

The side lengths will fit this equation:

(side1)^2 + (side 2)^2 = hypotenuse^2

Just plug in what you know, and solve for the missing side

a² = c² - b²

a² = 16² - 12²

a² = 112

a = 4 √7 ins

this is the point where you want to look up the formula

16^2 - 12^2 = a^2

256 - 144 = a^2

112 = a^2

Square root of 112 = 10.58

Answer is about 10.6 inches

Pythagorean Theorem

a² = c² - b² = 112

a = √112 = 4√7 inches