Simplify -(-1)^2

$- {(- 1)}^{2}$

Multiply $- 1$ by ${(- 1)}^{2}$ by adding the exponents.

Multiply $- 1$ by ${(- 1)}^{2}$ .

Raise $- 1$ to the power of $1$ .

${(- 1)}^{1} {(- 1)}^{2}$

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

${(- 1)}^{1 + 2}$

Add $1$ and $2$ .

${(- 1)}^{3}$

Raise $- 1$ to the power of $3$ .

$- 1$