there’s a difference between - as an infix operator (10 - 5) and - as a prefix (-3).
The only difference is whether it’s in brackets or not. To square the number -3 you need to put it in brackets, otherwise you’re only squaring 3.
x2 where x = -3, I don’t think you’d say it’s -9
That’s because anytime you substitute for a pronumeral, whatever the pronumeral represents goes in brackets. e.g. for x=3, 2x=2(3). So if x=-3, then x²=(-3)², as opposed to if x=3, we have -x²=-(3)². Whatever the pronumeral is equal to is inside brackets when you substitute.
The only difference is whether it’s in brackets or not. To square the number -3 you need to put it in brackets, otherwise you’re only squaring 3.
That’s because anytime you substitute for a pronumeral, whatever the pronumeral represents goes in brackets. e.g. for x=3, 2x=2(3). So if x=-3, then x²=(-3)², as opposed to if x=3, we have -x²=-(3)². Whatever the pronumeral is equal to is inside brackets when you substitute.