Final answer:
The frequency of the AA genotype when p = 0.4 is 0.16 or 16%, as per the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation, which is represented by p².
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question relates to population genetics and the Hardy-Weinberg principle, which describes the genetic equilibrium within a population under certain conditions. Assuming p represents the frequency of the dominant allele A and q represents the frequency of the recessive allele a, and given that p = 0.4 in the question, the frequency of the AA genotype, according to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation, is p². Therefore, for p = 0.4, the frequency of the AA genotype is 0.4² = 0.16 or 16%.