Why does this (-2)^2 equal 4 and not -4?

Question

anonymous · Answer

squares of numbers are always positive !!

johnweldon1993 · Answer

exactly...but

remember if we had

-(2)^2....what would THAT be?

anonymous · Answer

negative x negative equals positive.
so -2 x -2 =4 and not -4

anonymous · Answer

$$(-n)^2=(-1)^2*n^2$$

anonymous · Answer

and -1*-1=1

anonymous · Answer

that will be 4 because the negative sign is not being squared

johnweldon1993 · Answer

it's important to remember the parenthesis.... if we have
(-2)^2 ...that = 4
if we have
-(2)^2 ...that = -4...the - comes in AFTER the fact....the 2 gets squared...then the answer is turned negative

anonymous · Answer

here's a tip:
If the exponent is even number, the answer is positive.
And if the exponent is odd number, the answer will be negative

amistre64 · Answer

(-2)^2 = -2 * -2

- (2 * -2) = -(-4) = 4

anonymous · Answer

Thank you all very much! I was confused.

johnweldon1993 · Answer

no problem...hope you understand it better now