Eli5 Why is a negative times a negative a positive?

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I’m thinking of it like money. If I owe 5.00 dollars and then a multiply my debt by 5 dollars, I should be in debt by 25 dollars right? But -5 time -5 is 25. Please help.

Edit: my example was wrong sorry.

Edit: I’m still so confused but I think I got it. If I owe someone a dollar (-1). But that person doesn’t exist (-1). Id have my dollar still. Is that right?

In: Mathematics

12 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

This is the top answer on basically the same question in this thread:

Comment
byu/E-135 from discussion
inexplainlikeimfive

I give you three $20 notes: +3 × +20 = +60 for you

I give you three $20 debts: +3 × -20 = -60 for you

I take three $20 notes from you: -3 × +20 = -60 for you

I take three $20 debts from you: -3 × -20 = +60 for you

Credit to u/zerotan

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