Squared with a Negative Number

Squared with a Negative Number
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So I am trying to understand this formula.

I get that 7 squared is 7 * 7 = 49; However the () scares me, I get that there are rules for what to do first but they always confuse me. How does (-2) squared become 4 I know that two of - becomes a + somehow, could someone write out the simple formula for (-2) becoming 4

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1 Answer

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The parentheses mean do this first, so you negate the $2$ before squaring. We have $$(-2)^2=(-2)\cdot (-2)=4$$

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Elena Rostova
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Elena Rostova

Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.