If multiplication is just repeated addition, then why when 2 negatives get multiplied they become a positive?

999 views

If multiplication is just repeated addition, then why when 2 negatives get multiplied they become a positive?

In: Mathematics

12 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Because you’re adding… negatively.

-2 x 2 = -4. Because that is -2, twice: -2 + -2 = -4.

-2 x -2 = 4.

**Not** because -2 + -2 = -4, which is the opposite of what the second -2 is telling us to do. But because 2 + 2 = 4.

It’s not subtraction (after all, -2 minus -2 is 0), it’s adding negatively.

You are viewing 1 out of 12 answers, click here to view all answers.