For example, if I have minus 2 apples (which means I have no apples) in one hand, and another minus 2 apples in the other hand, how come I suddenly end up with 4 actual apples??
2006-10-23 23:56:16 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
you don't you have -4 apples.
two negatives can not make a positive.
2006-10-23 23:58:21 · answer #1 · answered by Heather 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As other people have said, I think the basic problem is you are confusing the rules for adding and multiplying.
If you are trying to get your head round adding negative numbers think of it this way.
If you have minus 2 apples in one hand, it means you have a note in that hand saying you owe somebody 2 apples.
If you have minus 2 apples in the other hand, then its the same - you have another note saying you owe somebody 2 apples.
So you put the two notes together, and ... hey presto ... you owe a total of 4 apples.
And the way we write that is '-4'.
2006-10-27 11:29:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, you have misunderstood negatives, and
-2 apples and another -2 apples = -4 apples
adding 2 (-) does not make a (+)
if you multiply 2 (-) you get (+)
if you multiply a (-) and a (+) you get a (-)
You cannot have -2 apples and another -2 apples without having more than +4 apples to start with. In maths you have to deal with numbers and then apply them to 'real life'
These are the laws of maths that you have to accept or you will scramble your brains !!
good luck and well done for a great question.
2006-10-24 00:08:25 · answer #3 · answered by Daddybear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean how can a negative times a negative be a positive?
First look at this chart:
3 x 3 = 9
3 x 2 = 6
3 x 1 = 3
3 x 0 = 0
3 x (-1) = -3
3 x (-2) = -6
3 x (-3) = - 9
So a positive times a negative is negative.
Then look at this chart:
3 x (-3) = -9
2 x (-3) = -6
1 x (-3) = -3
0 x (-3) = 0
(-1) x (-3) = 3
(-2) x (-3) = 6
(-3) x (-3) = 9
So a negative times a negative is a positive.
2006-10-24 03:42:07 · answer #4 · answered by wallstream 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
minus is another name for take away.-2 + -2 = -4 which means you owe someone 2 apples and someone else 2 apples you OWE 4 apples
2006-10-26 08:24:01 · answer #5 · answered by Conor F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it doesn't work like that as you can't have minus 2 apples.
here is a correct sum minus 2 add minus 2 is minus 4
and minus 2 does not mean nothing
2006-10-26 23:10:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
-6 and 1
2016-03-28 05:56:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure at all if I understand your question...but I try to explain what I understood...ok?
If you had -2 = -2? You means that?...then you have0=0, you have anything...!
On the other hand...apples can't be negatives...they are real...they are touchables...so if you finally have 4...it 's due to have 2 apples (positives) in your hands!!
je suis desolé,... je ne suis pas d'ici...
2006-10-25 00:45:48 · answer #8 · answered by Feel_Free_To_Say_NO 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because ADDING two negatives will NOT make a positive. You're thinking about multiplying two negative numbers, in which case the absolute value is given (a positive).
2006-10-24 00:00:25 · answer #9 · answered by Jason C. 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I thought you have minus 4 apples myself! Maybe Im just thick though.
Ive just done -2 + -2 on my calculater and it came out as -4
2006-10-23 23:57:25 · answer #10 · answered by OriginalBubble 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
then the answer is not +4 it is -4. -2 x -2 is +4 but -2 + -2 is -4.
2006-10-24 01:16:41 · answer #11 · answered by paarkavi jegatheeswaran 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋