:determine which ordered pair is a solution of y = x^2 - 2.
a) -2,6
b) 5, 21
c) -1, -1
d) -5, 24

The answer is C
The term "ordered pairs" refers to graphing and so it will always be in the order of x,yx first and then y, ALWAYS, so this tells you that in every potential answer given, that the first number IS x and then
to solve for y (the second number) you must do as the equation states and square x,(the first number in the ordered pair you are testing), (squaring means to times it by itself) and then subtract 2, the answer to that, will give you the solution for ysoso try this out for all of the above listed potentially correct answers, only ONE will work out properly 
Important: to do the equation, you must remember that a negative times a negative ALWAYS equals a positiveso
-1 * -1 = 1then the last step, subtracting 2 (-2)
1 -2 = -1thus C : -1, -1 is the only possible answer