I did look this up online one time & there seems to be argument among Mathematicians as to whether there is a -0 & a +0, or whether 0 is just 0. I was always taught the latter of these two when studying Math & learning about "Negative Numbers". Thank You to All who respond to the question here.
Also; How would a -0 be used, if it exists, etc?
2007-07-26 06:46:53 · 18 answers · asked by ? 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
−0 is the representation of negative zero or minus zero, a number that exists in computing, in some signed number representations for integers, and in most floating point number representations. In mathematical terms there is no concept of a negative (or positive) zero, and −0 is equivalent to, and represented as, zero.
In common usage, −0 may be used to denote a negative number rounded to zero, or a number approaching zero from the negative direction. In statistical mechanics, certain systems in a state of population inversion may be considered to have an absolute temperature of −0.
2007-07-26 06:55:05 · answer #1 · answered by Indiana Frenchman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
0 = 0
2007-07-26 06:54:05 · answer #2 · answered by camaroredride 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I also say no, mostly because there is no such thing as a positive zero either. As a signed number, it would be rather useless mathematically because both a negative or positive zero added to any number would have no effect on an equation whatsoever. In other words, it would be equivalent to adding an unsigned zero.
There are "imaginary" numbers in mathematics, however. These are the square roots of negative numbers.
Zero is used in engineering and science as a way of establishing a reference point. "Plus" and "minus" then become how much more or how much less something is from the reference point. Note however, the choice of reference is completely arbitrary. This explains all the different temperature scales. The Kelvin temperature scale has no negative numbers, since it starts at absolute zero.
2007-07-26 06:59:57 · answer #3 · answered by Roger S 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
as an integer 0 is neither positive nor negative. The issue arises in limits, where the limit can approach 0 from either the positive side, say x becoming smaller, or from the negative side, x becoming larger (as it approaches 0 from negative values). In such problems th neighborhood around 0 (very small values + and -) is important.
2007-07-26 06:52:19 · answer #4 · answered by John V 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In mathematics, zero is zero -- neither positive nor negative.
Some makes of computer, however, used a binary representation of numbers which resulted in there being two possible binary values for zero, one consisting of all zeros, which was +0 and the other consisting of all ones, which was -0. It was rather a nuisance having the two forms, and when programming in certain languages you could get zero results printing as -0.
2007-07-26 06:54:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
in maths , if you have studied "limits" then this would be clear
the a+0 means that it is a number which is very very near to a
but just a bit more
that is, it is tending to 'a' from the positive side of the numberline
whereas a-0 means that it is tending to a from the negative side
i hope his solves your problem
2007-07-26 06:54:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. 0 marks the division between + and -.
2007-07-26 06:51:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
0 is 0. Period. There are no two sides to it. No imaginery number for zero either (i.e. 0i = 0).
2007-07-26 06:51:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I too was taught that a zero is that, just zero. You can approach it from the + ve side or -ve side but at zero, it is zero and cannot have any sign.
2007-07-26 06:52:53 · answer #9 · answered by Swamy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, there is no suchthing as -0 (unless your talking about floating point arithmetic, but don't worry about that!)
2007-07-26 06:53:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋