Since $(a,9,5)$ is an O'Hara triple, then $\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{9}=5,$ or $\sqrt{a}+3=5,$ so $\sqrt{a}=2$ or $a=\boxed{4}.$
Three positive integers $a$, $b,$ and $x$ form an O'Hara triple $(a,b,x)$ if $\sqrt{a}+\sqrt{b}=x.$ For example, $(1,4,3)$ is an O'Hara triple because $\sqrt{1}+\sqrt{4}=3.$

If $(a,9,5)$ is an O'Hara triple, determine the value of $a.$
{'answer': '4', 'subject': 'Prealgebra', 'level': 3, 'unique_id': 'test/prealgebra/1595.json'}