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
Think of a collection of positive and negative blocks. The total number is the sum of all blocks, which can be positive or negative.
+ + + – – = 3 – 2 = 1
+ – – – = 1 – 3 = -2
Zero is when you have an equal amount of positive and negative blocks. 2 – 2 = 10 – 10 = 0.
Multiplication is adding or removing multiple blocks at once.
* Positive * Positive means **adding** *positive* blocks. 2*3 means adding 6 (+).
1 + (2*3) = + [add +++ +++] = +++++++ = 7
* Positive * negative means **adding** *negative* blocks. 2*(-3) means adding 6 (-).
1 + (2*-3) = + [add – – – – – -] = + – – – – – – = -5
* Negative * positive means **removing** *positive* blocks. -2 * 3 means removing 6 (+).
7 + (-2*3) = +++++++ [remove +++ +++] = + = 1.
* Negative * negative means **removing** *negative* blocks. -2 * -3 means removing 6 (-).
-7 + (-2*-3) = – – – – – – – [remove – – – – – -] = – = -1. It’s the same as if you did -7 + 6.
Another way of thinking about it is as a direction on a number line: … -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 …
A*B comes down to stepping forwards (positive B) or backwards (negative B) while facing right (positive A) or left (negative A). Negative*negative then means looking left and stepping back, which has the same effect as positive*positive.
Latest Answers