-1^2
\(-1^2=-1*-1=\boxed{1}\).
Hi, tertre!
\(-1^2=-1\).
This confuses most people, and this is a quite common error. I would like to correct it once and for all!
\(-1^2=-(1^2)=-(1*1)=-1\\ (-1)^2=-1*-1=1\)
Do you see the difference? The order of operations is strict.
Xsquared's answer is the correct one.
You do need to bew careful though.
\(1)\;\;\;-1^2=-1*1^2=-1*1=-1\\~\\ 2)\;\;\;(-1)^2=-1*-1=+1=1\\~\\ 3)\;\;\; If \;\;x=-1\;\;then\;\; x^2=(-1)^2=+1\\~\\ 4)\;\;\; x^2=1\;\;find\;\;x \qquad \rightarrow \qquad x=\pm\sqrt1=\pm1\)
+2446 
