In one of my classes someone asked why negative numbers are in brackets and I can't seem to find an answer other then something to do with decimal points but I don't understand it.
2007-06-12 12:13:29 · 11 answers · asked by queenogreen 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Whammie is right. It is simply that brackets will stand out - catch your eye when scanning a list - better than a minus sign. Since "positive" numbers are not labeled with a plus sign, we are not looking for this kind of "marker". It also forces the person making up the list of entries to pay attention to when he/she is entering - and computing - a negative value. It's got nothing to do with decimal points. Hope this helps. Have a nice day!!!
2007-06-12 12:26:56 · answer #1 · answered by Pete 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another good reason is that in the day of lo-fi printers and fax machines you could easily lose a minus sign, brackets are much more likely to survive poor reproduction. Not such an issue nowadays.
2015-07-28 04:52:12 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Negative numbers are shown in brackets so that they aren't confused with subtraction signs. They also might be in braces at times.
2007-06-12 12:24:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
mathematicians would use a minus sign. accountants use brackets, or parentheses, or even red ink (hence, being in the red). mainly it's custom of the tribe.
mathematicians, asked what's 2x2, say 4, and they can prove it.
statisticians, asked what's 2x2, say it's usually 4, with a window of certainty around it.
an accountant, asked what's 2x2, goes to the door, looks up and down the hall, locks the door, comes back and whispers "what do you want it to be?"
2007-06-12 12:28:54 · answer #4 · answered by Philo 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Putting a number in parentheses indicates it is a loss. Instead of paretheses, losses are sometimes printed in red. That's why a company that is operatimng "in the red" is operating at a loss.
2007-06-12 12:21:51 · answer #5 · answered by ironduke8159 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have always put negatives and credits in brackets. Don't know why, perhaps an easy way to spot them?
2007-06-12 12:16:41 · answer #6 · answered by Rocko Barbella 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
to be sure it's a negative instead of a hyphin or dash or to make it stand out.
2007-06-12 12:16:54 · answer #7 · answered by Thomas 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it protects them from the meaner/stronger positive numbers.
2007-06-12 12:15:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
because it isnt a negative number. no such thing as a negative dollar bill
2007-06-12 12:16:15 · answer #9 · answered by mamaboy7 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because negative things should be hidden
2007-06-12 12:15:34 · answer #10 · answered by ffordcash 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋