Why does multiplying two negatives give a positive. What would be 2 negatives?

Answer 1

(math is better that way????)

Alright, here ya go:

A negative on a number (like, say, -3) is, mathematically speaking, an "opposite" -- Like, -3 is the opposite of 3. Mathematicians call it the "additive opposite" 'cause as far as adding is concerned, adding -3 is the same as subtracting 3.

So if you multiply (or divide, for that matter) a negative, it reverses the +/- sign on the other number you're timesing it by -- It changes it to the *opposite*. So like, positive 5 times -3 gives you a negative answer (-15), 'cause that's the *opposite* sign from the 5 that you multiplied by.

But what if you do -3 times -5? Well, what's the opposite of a negative? A positive! So -3 times -5 gives you *positive* 15, 'cause the two negatives cancel each other out.

This works for times or divide -- Plus and minus have other rules.

Hope this helps! :)

Barjesse37

Answer 2

You need to imagine litte bit.

For example: A boat is going leftward. (we take leftward as negative and rightward as positive)
So it is going at negative direction.

Relative to the person sitting in the boat, you imagine that 5 boats are coming from opposite direction. U see these boat as if it is coming towards the postive direction.

Bit hard to understand. But u'll understand.

Therefore -1 * -5 = 5

Answer 3

well i will tell u how come ....plot a graph for

y=x^2-a .....

then check the graph where it cuts the x axis since these two are the roots of the function
x^2-a=o

we can say x is plus or minus sqrt(a)

hence minus sqrt(a) * minus sqrt(a)= a positive value....

hence two negative values when multiplid give a positive value....this hence holds good everywhere

Answer 4

well, for example -5 X -2 = 10

Suppose you have lost 2 dollars a week(-2) the last 5 weeks (-5)

than 5 weeks ago you were -5 X -2 = 10 dollars richer.

Answer 5

2 negatives would be a positive.. if you mean two positives then it would be positive

Answer 6

I've found, that when it comes to math, you just do it. Take the formula, plug in whatever for the variables, things like that. Whys don't always work, then you're too far gone trying to understand, then nothing makes sense.

Answer 7

dont ask questions. just accept it for what it is. math is better that way. i think theyre called postulates when its a math fact and it hasnt been proven but people accept it because they have to.