Mg--->Mg-2 + 2e,I don't understand why it isn't -2e since Mg ion would lose 2 electrons to become an atom

In my head, this makes sense to me........Mg--->Mg-2 - 2e
please help me understand

Yes u are absolutely rite ..
Mg-2+2e will give Mg4- and not Mg
Only if u remove 2e will u get Mg from Mg2- .

And btw i wud like to tell you that Mg doesnt form Mg2- but forms Mg2+ . so check if there is a printing mistake ..
Hope i helped

there seems to be a mistake in the print. removing two electrons (a reduction) will create an overall positive ion Mg+2. so it should be Mg--->Mg+2 + 2e.