1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $-5^2$. 2. **Understand the order of operations:** According to the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), exponents are evaluated before multiplication or negation. 3. **Apply the exponent first:** Calculate $5^2$ which is $5 \times 5 = 25$. 4. **Apply the negative sign:** The negative sign is not part of the base, so it applies after the exponentiation. Thus, $-5^2 = -(5^2) = -25$. 5. **Final answer:** The value of $-5^2$ is $-25$.