>>>-(-2^2) is it 4 or -4?
>>
>>Inside the parens, it works out to -4, so negating that (or multiplying by -1 if you like) makes it 4.
>
>Minus 2 squared is minus 4?

(haha) That depends on how it is pronounced

At a comma, the voice/tone is slightly raised (also before exclamation mark, question mark)
At a full stop, the voice/tone drops

Examples

Mike, come here.
Mike, come here !

Come here, Mike.



So
Minus two, squared is 4
Minus, two squared is -4