You would set the problem up like this:
c=a^2+b^2
when a=2 and b=-2
subsitute in 2 and -2 for variables a and b
you get c=4+4
c=8
Then is says c must be squared so if c=8 then square 8, which is 64, at the end of the problem it says -4, this leaves you with the correct answer 60. Hope this helps!