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Why is it that multiplying two negative integers gives a positive result but multiplying two positive integers cannot give a negative result?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
It is well known that if you multiply a positive number (it doesn't have to be an integer) by another positive number the result is always a positive number.
For example (+2.3) x (+2) = +4.6 Similarly, at school you learn that if you multiply a positive number by a negative number the result is always a negative number.
For example (+19) x (-2) = -38 When you multiply two negative numbers you must get a positive result because of the way negative numbers "work", but why that is so is not usually explained at junior or high school. You learn why as part of learning about complex numbers in higher math at technical college or university. To be very brief, it is all to do with the behaviour of the operator "i". (For more information about it please see the answer to the related question shown below.) Because i2 is defined to be equal to -1 then it follows that i2 x i2 = +1 for the following reason: multiplying something by i2 means "apply the operator i twice" so, if you start with a positive number, multiplying it by i2 makes that positive number into a negative number. If you multiply that negative number by i2 again you make the result into a positive number. Overall you are applying the operator i four times so you can say that i2 x i2 (which is the same as i4) means "apply the operator i four times" and doing that gives a result which is a positive number. For example (-1) x (-2) = +2 could be written as: [(+1) x i2] x [(+2) x i2] = +2 x [(i2 x i2)] = +2 or even as (+1) x i2 x (+2) x i2 = +2 x i4 = +2
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
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Can 1.56 be an integer?
1.56 cannot be an integer, since the set of integers do not include any decimal numbers, only whole numbers, negative or positive (including 0).
What is te square root of -120 to the nearest integers?
The square root of a negative number cannot be expressed with integers. The square root of a negative number is always imaginary.
Is a negative a positive is what?
A Negative plus a positive = a negative because negative and a positive cannot work together Negative + Negative= Positive Positive + Positive = Positive when your dealing with numbers such as : -2 + 2 would equal a negative 4 -2 +-2 would equal a positive 4
Why does the product of an integer multiplied by itself cannot be negative?
There are just three possible cases: Positive integer: positive x positive = positive. Negative integer: negative x negative = positive. Zero: zero x zero = zero.
Why can't you factor negative radical numbers?
You cannot factor negative radical numbers because the square of a number must always be positive. A negative number multiplied by a negative number produces a positive number. So, it is impossible to have a negative radical.
What can you conclude about the signs of two integers whose product is positive and negative?
The product of two integers cannot be "positive and negative".
What are two positive integers that have a sum of -18 and a product of 88?
Two positive integers cannot have a sum which is negative!
How do you get a pair of negative integers that have the sum of five?
You cannot. The sum of negative integers will be negative.
What characteristic can integers have that whole numbers cannot?
Integers can be negative.
What is the difference between directed number and integers?
Directed numbers have a positive or negative sign associated with them. (The positive sign may be implied). They can be rational fractions (including mixed numbers) or irrational. Integers cannot be fractions or irrational.
Is 0.1 a integer?
Integers are whole numbers, either positive or negative. They cannot be fractions or decimal numbers.
Will the sum of two integers always be negative?
No. For example, 2 + 3 = 5 which is positive, and 2 + (-2) = 0 which is neither positive nor negative. Well, that completely discredits my 4th grade math book that said any number that is not negative IS positive. Therefore, zero is by default a positive number. However, the sum of two negative integers will always be negative. Adding a negative integer decreases the value of the result and given that both integers are negative implies that the sum will be negative. "Implies"? you say. Do you have no conviction? Cannot you say 'determines' when it is obvious? "not obvious"? you say, Then does that mean the sum of 2 negative numbers MIGHT not be negative? See, this is what happens when a 5th grade question is answered by someone with superior attitude.
Why is the product of of two negative integers always negative?
The question cannot be answered because it is based on the wrong premise that "the product of two negative integers always negative".
Is positive divided by a positive a negative?
No, you cannot get a negative number that way.
What is the connection between absolute value and integers?
None. Integers can be negative, absolute values cannot. Absiolute values can be rational or irrational fractions, integers cannot.
Can a negative donate blood to A positive?
No, an O Positive person cannot donate to an A Negative person because the person who is Negative, or Rh Negative, will react to the Positive (Rh Positive) blood. Negative can only get Negative, Positive can get Positive or Negative.
Can 1.56 be an integer?
1.56 cannot be an integer, since the set of integers do not include any decimal numbers, only whole numbers, negative or positive (including 0).
