why does a negative number multiplied by another negative number equal a positive number like how can u even multiply something negatively lmao idg anything
In: Mathematics
So the previous statements are nice explanations but they are not right. Actually, this is an example of an axiom, or a fundamental rule that is accepted as true, but cannot be logically shown why. Most “meaningful” (loaaded) math is based on axioms. Certainly all the math you know is. Like for any two points there is a line that intersects them. You learned that in school and it is an axiom. You cannot prove it via logic, but also no one has disproved it and it is really, really useful if you treat it as a building block for logic. Very important to point out again, an axiom only remains as long as no one finds a contradiction so they aren’t just accepted without vetting. The number of axioms different fields and ‘modes’ of mathematics are generally few. Theorems are born from combining these axioms, axioms and theorems, and theorems with theorems.The rules of -/+ multiplication do not have proofs or logically mathematical explanations: many of mathematics brightest have tried to make a proof for why 1x-1=-1 is logically resultant from other axioms, and they all failed (including Euler!) But doing 1x-1=-1 is waaaaaaaaay more useful than 1x-1=1. Why this is so gets far beyond ELI5.Maybe someday someone will do it, like find the proof with new math, but for other more exciting reasons, not being able to “prove something” can be a serious argument for it being true, because of Godel’s Incompleteness Theoroms. So humanity has probably not wildly messed up ;POther comments here about arithmetic are great for just giving yourself your own logic, or explaining to someone learning this for the first time, like they are good!
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