weird q

[old falcon]

i need a full explanation as to why -3^2 and (-3)^2 are not the same

[elder hatch]

i suppose you already know that (-1)*(-1)=1
when you take a number to the square what you are doing is an operation which has priority on the "multiply" operation
so when you do -3^2 what you really do is do 3^2 and then multiply by -1 : -(3x3)=-1x9=-9
when you use parenthesis you change the priority, you now have (-3)x(-3) = (-1)x3x(-1)x3 = 1x3x3 = 9
this is why you get 2 differents results

[maiden bane]

yea like @elder hatch said, -3^2 = -9 ---> -1(3x3)= -9

and when is in parantes u take two of the same times each other so (-3)^2 is (-3) (-3) = 9

[sonic tusk]

For the same reason that 2x^2 and (2x)^2 are not the same.