If you do -5*-5 it equals 25 but -5 to the second power would equal 25 too right?

The is a lot of confusion here

$$(-5)^2=-5*-5=+25$$

So far we are in agreement.  

NOW

think about this

$$40-5^2$$

I think that most of you would agree that this simplified as follows

$$40-25=15$$

So you see, the 5 was squared,   The minus was kept seperate.  

I think of it like this    

  $$40-5^2=40-1*5^2 = 40-1*25=40-25=15$$

SO

$$-5^2=-1*5^2=-25$$

The minus sign is not squared - the answer is negative

Reiterating      That is a good word 

$$\\(-5)^2=+25\\\\ -5^2=-25$$

No it wouldn't. it would be the exact opposite actually

(-5)*(-5)=25

((-5)^2)=25

-((5)^2)=-25

-5^2 = -5 X -5      so yes

But -1(5^2) = -25. I think that may be where the confusion lies.