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I presume you're asking why if you multiply two negative numbers, you end up with a positive number?

Partly, it's because it's the convention in maths; but why was that convention chosen?

Start with multiplying a positive and a negative:

+2 x -2 = -4

To put it in practical terms; if you owe two people £2, then you owe a total of £4.

So if +2 x -2 = -4

it makes sense for

-2 x -2 to equal +4 - the alternative is for -2 x -2 to equal -4 and you end up with

+2 x -2 = -2 x -2

which gives you

+2 = -2

which is clearly wrong.

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15y ago

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Q: How can a negative and a negative be a positive?
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