Question 387006
a^2-40=0 First thing you do is add the 40 to both sides
a^2-40(+40)=0+40 This cancels your -40
a^2=40 Next, you will take the square root of both sides. (Square root is the opposite of something that is squared.)This simply removes the ^2 off of your a.
a=Square root of 40

Square root of 40 breaks down to square root of 4 and square root of 10.
The square root of 4 is plus or minus 2.

a=+-2sqrt(10)

When you write it, the plus or minus should go on top of each other with the + on top with the - under it.