help with multiplying a negative and variable with an exponent

    n^2 - 6n + 11        2^2 - 6(2) + 11            4 - 12 + 11           3          1

- -----------------    -   --------------------   =   -   ---------------   =  -  ---  =   -  --

   -n^2 +6n + 1         -2^2 + 6(2) + 1             -4 + 12 + 1           9          3

This question comes from one of the problems in the sequence section of algebra I

My question is in italics.  Why is - 2^2 = -4?  I thought   - x - = +

I would really appreciate any help with this.  I am really trying to learn algebra!

Thank you.