someone PLEASE explain why -2 x -2 = 4 (and not -4)?

Answer 1

Two negatives equals a positive in multiplication. Who knows why that is though.

Answer 2

that is because -2 and -2 cancel each other out therefore the the answer is in the positive number so you get the answer 4 and not -4

Answer 3

Multiplication of a negative number by a positive number yields a negative result: (−2) × 3 = −6. Multiplication of two negative numbers yields a positive result: (−4) × (−3) = 12.

One way of understanding this is to regard multiplication by a positive number as repeated addition. Thus, 2 × 3 = 2 + 2 + 2 = 6 and so naturally (−2) × 3 = (−2) + (−2) + (−2) = −6.

Multiplication by a negative number can be regarded as repeated subtraction. For instance, 3 × (−2) = −3 −3 = −6. Notice that this keeps multiplication commutative: 3 × (−2) = (−2) × 3 = −6. Applying the same interpretation of "multiplication by a negative number" for a value that is also negative, we have:

(−4) × (−3) = − (−4) − (−4) − (−4)
= 4 + 4 + 4
= 12

Answer 4

the negatives cancel each other becoming positive numbers if you want it to be -4 it would be -2 x 2 = -4

Answer 5

the 2 negative expressions cancel each other out.

Answer 6

a negative and a negative = a positive
a negative and a postitve = a negative.....i think
a positive and a positive = a positive

not too sure!♥

Answer 7

if they cancell each other out as in other replies surely the answer would be 0

Answer 8

multiplication is like a matrix.
-2 x -2 is simlar to 2 x 2

********3*******
**Q1***2***Q2
********1*******
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
********-1******
**Q3***-2***Q4
********-3******

it will always be positive if the answer is in Q2 & Q3
and it will be negative if the answer is in Q1 & Q4

Answer 9

Because if one multiplies two negative numbers, the product is a positive number. Check it on calculator.
It's in no way related to maths, but it's like saying "don't not do that", but it means "do that". Two negatives make a positive.

Answer 10

Because mathematics is totally stupid .... I mean when did you last have minus 2 bananas?

Answer 11

Just Cuz it's the law