$\"\"$

The expression is $\"\"$

Associative Property of Addition:

The way in which numbers are grouped and added does not change the sum. \ \

For any numbers a, b and c: $\"\"$

Using associative property the statement can be written as

$\"\"$ \ \

$\"\"$

To simplify the expression following order of operations to performed:

1. Evaluate the expressions inside grouping symbols.

2. Evaluate Powers.

3. Multiply and/or Divide in order from left to right.

4. Add and/or Subtract in order from left to right.

According order of operations inside the grouping symbols should be evaluated first.

First operation is adding the numbers within the parenthesis.

$\"\"$ (Add: $\"\"$ )

$\"\"$

The simplified expression is 40 + a.