The expression you've shared is:

$- 8^2$

According to the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), exponents are calculated before applying the negative sign. So we first calculate $8^2$, which is:

$8^2 = 64$

Now, apply the negative sign:

$- 64$

Thus, the result is:

$- 8^2 = -64$

Would you like more details or have any further questions?

Here are 5 related questions for practice:

1. What is $-5^2$?
2. How would you simplify $(-8)^2$?
3. What is the result of $-9^2$?
4. What does $(-5)^3$ equal?
5. How does $8^3$ compare to $8^2$?

Tip: Always apply exponents before the negative sign unless the negative sign is inside parentheses!