⚠ (x+2)(x-2) is read as (x+2)*(x-2): use (...)*(...) for multiplication, use (...)^(...) for a power

Let's write in expanded form: $(x+2)·(x-2)$

ⓘ Expand by multiplying each term inside the parentheses: $(x+2)·(x-2)$ = $x·x$$+x·\left(-2\right)$$+2x$$+2·\left(-2\right)$

$x·x$$+x·\left(-2\right)$$+2x$$+2·\left(-2\right)$

ⓘ Multiplying powers with the same base adds the exponents: $x·x$ = $x^2$■The minus sign is placed in front of the product: $x·\left(-2\right)$ = $-2x$■Multiplications are done before additions and subtractions. A single minus sign does not cancel out, the product of a negative number by a positive number is negative: $2·\left(-2\right)$ = $-4$

$x^2$$-2x$$+2x$$-4$

ⓘ Like terms are grouped by adding their coefficients: $-2x+2x$ = $0$

$x^2+0-4$

ⓘ Adding 0 changes nothing: $0-4$ = $-4$

▶Expanded form:   $x^2-4$