-2 to the power of 2

Well, this depends. Are you asking -(2)^2 or (-2)^2? This matters because, as per the order of operations, exponents are calculated first. So, in the first situation:

-(2)^2 = -4

In the second situation, however, we are squaring the entire expression of -2. A negative squared is a positive, so (-2)^2 = 4.

Does the question look like -2^2 or (-2)^2? Because that will change the answer.

Let me know if I did anything wrong! Hope this helps.

Thanks inhuman calculator, you have given a great answer          [You should give yourself a point  ]

I'll just add a little

-(3)^2 can be expanded to   -1*(3)^2    now it should be easy to see that the answer is -1*9 = -9

however

(-3)^2   is   -3 * -3  =  +9