SOLUTION: how a negative number becomes a positive number

Question 218309: how a negative number becomes a positive number

Found 2 solutions by RAY100, drj:
Answer by RAY100(1637) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(1) if we add a positive number of greater value to a negative number the sum is positive,,,,for example (+10) added to (-9) yields (+1)
.
(2) if we multiply a negative number by another negative number,,the product is positive,,,,for example,,,,(-2) *(-3) = +6
.
(3) if we divide a negative number by a negative number,,,,the quotient is positive,,,,for example,,,(-4)/(-2) = (+2)
.
(4) and if we raise a negative number to a positive even power,,,the result is positive,,,for example (-2)^10 = (+1024)
.

Answer by drj(1380) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
How can a negative number becomes a positive number.

Think of a negative number as walking backwards and a positive number as walking forward.

Now let's look at a negative number say -5 which can mean walking five steps backward.

Now let's look at -(-5)=+5 which can mean walking five steps backwards going in the reverse direction or a net forward direction.

So everytime you see two negatives as shown above it means a positive. Each negative means go in the opposite direction.

I hope above explanation was helpful.

For FREE Step-By-Step videos in Introduction to Algebra, please visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/IntroAlgebra and for Trigonometry visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/Trigonometry.

And good luck in your studies!

Respectfully,
Dr J
http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV
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