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
Think of numbers as a line. Positive numbers go off to the right, negative numbers go off to the left. Multiplying a positive number by -1 (for example) means that you turn around and go to the left.
Multiplying a negative number by another negative is like taking someone going left and telling them to turn around and go in the other direction. So they go right. Back in the positive direction.
This is the top answer on basically the same question in this thread:
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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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