\[- a^{2} < ( - a)^{2};\ \ \ \ a = 3:\]
\[- a^{2} = - 3^{2} = - 9 < 0;\]
\[( - a)^{2} = ( - 3)^{2} = 3^{2} = 9 > 0.\]
\[- a^{2} < ( - a)^{2};\ \ a = - 5:\]
\[- a^{2} = - ( - 5)^{2} = - 5^{2} = - 25 < 0;\]
\[( - a)^{2} = \left( - ( - 5) \right)^{2} = 5^{2} = 25 > 0.\]
\[- a^{2} = ( - a)^{2};\ \ a = 0:\]
\[- a^{2} = - 0^{2} = 0;\text{\ \ }\]
\[( - a)^{2} = ( - 0)^{2} = 0.\]