Question 157295
either the book is wrong or your interpretation of what the book is saying is wrong.
if the book is saying that -8^2 = -64, then the book must be implying (-1)*(8)^2.
assume it was in an equation where the - sign was an operand of the equation rather than part of the number.
let's say the equation was y^5 - x^2.
what would your interpretation be then?
mine would be - (x)^2.
in this case the - sign would be an operand rather than part of the number.
i would guess the book is not teaching that (-8)^2 = -64.
could be a typo.  could be just bad wording.  could be your interpretation was taken out of context.
check the rest of the chapter and see if they are supporting the wrong conclusion.  
books are not perfect even though they try very hard.
i would say if it's showing the number by itself, then -8^2 should imply (-8)^2 as you indicated, but if it's part of an equation, then -8^2 could definitely be interpreted as -(8)^2.