Why is -4^2 -16, not 16?

Question

To me, -4 * -4 = 16 because a negative times a negative equals a positive.

I understand -(4)^2 being negative but not without the parentheses.

Thank you.

Answer 1

without parentheses, exponents are done first. Remember PEMDAS?
Parentheses, exponents, mult/div, add/sub

So, -4^2 is evaluated as -(4^2)

If you want +16, then that is (-4)^2