Math Arguments

Negatives, Squares and the Mistaken Calculator

From Kenneth Tilton via email

If -3 is a non-zero number and a non-zero number squared is positive, why does \(-3^2 = -9\)?

I went to desmos.com and typed it in:




I know I've got my TI around here:



That can't be right.  Wolfram is always the definitive source, right?

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=-3^2


W
What the heck is going on?

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