Question 261737
(-3x)^2 = (-3*x)^2 = (-3)^2 * x^2 = 9x^2


another way of looking at is:


(-3x)^2 = (-3x)*(-3x) = (-3*x) * (-3*x) = (-3)*(-3)*(x)*(x) = (-3)^2 * (x)^2 = 9*x^2 = 9x^2


* means to multiply.


example:   3*3 = 9.


^ means to the power of.


example: 3^2 = 3 to the power of 2 = 3 squared = 9.


in general:


(a*b)^n = a^n*b^n


this means:


(a times b) to the nth power = a to the nth power times b to the nth power.


in your problem:


a was equal to 3
b was equal to x
n was equal to 2