What is the difference between (-3)^2 and -3^2?

but is it not like this?

(-3)^2=9  

-3^2= -9

or is that wrong?

I'm pretty sure they are the same. 

Oh.., yeah. I'm not sure. Somebody else should answer this. Sorry about that

I thought both would be 9 but I guess I am wrong. I am extremely confused now.

(-3)²  is  (-3)(-3)  =  9

-3²  =  -(3)(3)  =  -9      (square first, then attach the minus sign)

Thanks Mellie and Geno