-5 to the power of 2

that is just the way scientific calculators are designed, they all do that.

Exactly! You should always do it first on paper, then check it on calc!

They don't ALL do that.....but we had that thread before....you need to know the limitations/operating characteristics of your tools (calculator) to use them correctly and get correct answers......

For THIS calculator you have to use parentesis    (-5)^2    to get the answer you expect  : 25

if you put in -5^2   you will get  -  (5^2)      -25    

OTHER scientific calculators may or may not do this......MOST of them will give you  25    SOME (Including this one) will give you    -25     I think this is a problem.....but only because I am used to the calculators that give you  +25   I was an engineer in a former life.....all of my calculators gave +25    but some will give you -25

Melody said it before:  KNOW your tools.

~jc