2006-08-17 13:29:09 · 6 answers · asked by matt s 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
It's not exactly a history question, but here goes. The way to think about negative numbers is to think of counting backwards. That is, starting at zero, you go -1, -2, -3, -4, etc. When you are multiplying a positive number by a negative, you are essentially multiplying backwards as well, such that -4 * 4 = -16.
However, when you are going backwards from a backwards direction, you are then going forwards again. This means that the negative terms do cancel out, so -4 * -4 = -(-16) = +16.
Hope that this explains things. By the way, if you take the square root of 16 on a calculator, you'll get 4, since 4 * 4 = 16. However, -4 is also a square root for the same reason.
2006-08-17 14:27:55 · answer #1 · answered by Ѕємι~Мαđ ŠçїєŋŧιѕТ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The negatives cancel eachother out. So you're left with 4*4 which is 16
2006-08-17 13:35:26 · answer #2 · answered by ballerina_kim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two negatives mixed together negates each other. When such negation is total, you simply get something positive out of the operation. Two positives put together reinforces each other so there still is positive.
2006-08-17 15:58:27 · answer #3 · answered by Bummerang 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because two wrongs DO make a right ;-)
the law of mathematics states that a negative, when multiplied by another negative, becomes positive.
2006-08-17 16:59:43 · answer #4 · answered by Feng J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because two wrongs DO make a right ;-)
the law of mathematics states that a negative, when multiplied by another negative, becomes positive.
or... pictoraly... http://www.mathsisfun.com/multiplying-negatives.html
2006-08-17 13:34:51 · answer #5 · answered by frzzld_1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because - * - = +
I know that wasn't helpful you'll get used to it.
2006-08-17 13:33:46 · answer #6 · answered by position28 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋