Question 30468
Confusion reigns!

The first explanation of {{{-6^2 = -36}}} is correct. Why?  because:
{{{-6^2 = (-1)(6^2)}}} = {{{(-1)(6)(6) = (-1)(36)}}} = {{{-36}}}
Whereas:
{{{(-6)^2 = (-6)(-6)}}} = {{{36}}}

In the TI-86, when you enter: {{{-6^2}}} you get {{{-36}}} and when you enter {{{(-6)^2}}} you get {{{36}}}