Trying to calculate Moment as a result of Force, M = F x d, should d be positive at all times?

Question

When doing the calculation, should we take d as positive even if it is in the negative quadrant? I am kind of confused about this...

Thanks I now understand it.

Answer 1

d is always positive no matter what question is being asked, its a physical problem which warrants all absolute distances from a given centre of force to be positive at all times, you will only get negative moments when the force acting itself is against the preceding motion and so is acting to reduce the motion, in that case f is negative and so the moment itself will be negative.....HOPE THAT HELPS!!!

Answer 2

F d M are actually vectors where the direction of M indicate clockwise or counterclockwise motion. The magnitude of a vector is the sqrt of the sum of its component squared, so it is always positive. In trying to simplify the idea, it is presented in a confusing way in introductory classes. If a force were applied at -d instead of +d the object would rotate in the opposite direction but the magnitude of the moment would be the same.

Answer 3

Okay, now the formula is positive, it is just that if you replace it, positive with negative makes negative. So that means that d would then turn negative. it would be something like

-M = F x -d

or

M = -F x -d

Answer 4

d is positive. At ALL times.
Except when it's negative.