Why is the result of $-2^2 = -4$ but $(-2)^2 =4$? I am really new into math, why is $-2^2 = -4 $ and $(-2)^2 = 4 $? 

$ -2^2 = - \left( 2^2 \right) = -4 $, whereas $ \left( -2 \right)^2 = \left( -2 \right) \cdot \left( -2 \right) = 4 $, because the negatives cancel. 
