explain why (-17) -8 is positive?

Answer 1

Because when you multiply two negative numbers the negatives cancel each other out and become positive.

Answer 2

Ok so you should get the -17 out of parenthesis first. If you see no # to the left of the parenthesis then you always assume that there is a one there. So 1 times -17 is -17. Then, since a negative number multiplied by a negative number is a positive, -17 multiplied by -8 would be positive 136.

Answer 3

If you implied multiplication by writing -17 x -8 = 136
A negative times a negative equals a positive.

If you implied addition -17 + -8 = -25

or if you meant |-17|-8 and implied multiplication
The absolute value of -17 times -8 = -136

or if you meant |-17|-8 and implied addition
The absolute value of -17 + -8 = -9

Answer 4

Negative * Negative = positive.

On your calculator(not the computer one) put in (-17) like this with the parenthesis, then times it by -8.

Remember the parentheses.

Answer 5

Negative times a negative is a positive with the brackets operating like a multiplier.

Answer 6

The rule is always a negative number times a negative number is a positive number. I took a theory class and there is some weird thing behind it, but I do not remember.

Answer 7

In multiplication and division you only count the negative signs, if you see an even amount that means it's positive if you see and odd amount that means the answer is negative................................for example in your problem (-17)-8 it has two negative signs so that means it's a positive.+9................................and if you have a problem like this one (-9)+6=-3 cause there is only one negative sign..............................so that means if you have(even Numbers like 2,4,6,8 negative signs your answer will always be a positive but if you have odd numbers of negative signs like 3,5,7,9 your answer will always be a negative the easiest way to remember is by only paying attention to how many negative signs there is...

Answer 8

It is just the rule of thumb, two negatives make a positive and a negative and positive make a negative.

Answer 9

By the rule of mathematics, you are actually always add two variables, but the addition is concluded by the attributes the variables carry (-/+). Its like when you add water to wool it shrinks in size...you added still the size decreased...similary, these qualities of materials inspired mathmeticial and they started attributing the way a material will behave to variables and gave them signs +,- thus -+- is addition of two elements of similar characterstic thus -17-8 is positive= -25(still carry the characterstic)

Answer 10

positive x negative = negative
negative x negative = positive
positive x positive = positive