Simplifying Expressions

Any nonzero expression raised to the power of 0 is equal to 1. Therefore,

To begin, let's rewrite the equation so the square root is a fraction in the exponent:

From here, we can simplify the exponent:

Now we change the exponent fraction back into a square root:

Start by distributing the negative sign through the parentheses term:

Now combine like terms. Each variable can't be combined with different variables:

Start by distributing the term:

Now collect like terms. Remember, you can't add or subtract variables that have different exponents:

First, we can distribute the negative sign through the parentheses term:

Now we gather like terms. Remember, you can't gather different variables together. The 's and 's will still be separate terms:

Distribute the integers through the binomials.

Combine like-terms.

The answer is:

A number decreased by 40% is equivalent to 100% of the number minus 40% of the number. This is taking 60% of the number, or, equivalently, multiplying it by 0.6.

Therefore, decreased by 40% is 0.6 times this, or

A square root is the inverse of squaring a term, so they cancel each other out:

From there, there's nothing left to simplify.

We can start by distributing the negative sign in the parentheses term:

Now we can combine like terms. The constants go together, and the variables go together:

Start by distributing the term:

Now combine like terms. Remember, if a variable has a different exponent, you can't add them: