answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

I suppose you mean, if you multiply them. There is really no way to "prove" this; you should consider it a definition. However, it is a definition that makes sense. For example, with this definition, the distributive law continues to be valid for all integers.

Consider this sequence:

3 x 3 = 9
2 x 3 = 6
1 x 3 = 3
0 x 3 = 0
-1 x 3 = -3
-2 x 3 = -6

Each time I reduce the first factor by one, and the final product reduces by three. It therefore seems reasonable, for example, that -1 x 3 = -3.

Next step, another sequence:

3 x -3 = -9
2 x -3 = -6
1 x -3 = -3
0 x -3 = 0
-1 x -3 = 3
-2 x -3 = 6

This time I reduced the second factor by one each time; the product increases by 3 each time. So, it seems at least reasonable that a negative number times a negative number gives a positive product. As hinted before, several math laws, like the distributive property, maintain their validity if multiplication is defined this way.

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why -- equals plus?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

1 plus 1 equals 2 plus 2 equals 4 plus 4 equals 8 plus 8 equals 16 plus 16 equals 32 plus 32 equals 64 plus 64 equals 128 plus 128 equals 256 plus 256 equals 512 plus 512 equals 1024 plus 1024 equals?

2048


Enemy plus you equals friend Hate plus you equals love Tears plus you equals smile Confusion plus you equals solution Nothing plus you equals everything and Me plus You equals equals please reply?

42


What is 4 plus 1 plus 4 plus 77685769844446473 plus 3 plus 8 plus 1 plus 23122312 plus 6 plus 1 equals 2 plus 9870998342523322424 plus 4?

4+1=5. Plus 4 equals 9. Plus 77685769844446473 equals 77685769844446482. Plus 3 equals 77685769844446485. Plus 8 equals 77685769844446493. Plus 1 equals 77685769844446494. Plus 9870998342523322424 equals 1064785604097768918. Plus 4 equals 1064785604097768922.


Which property justifies the following statement if W plus -8 equals 16 then w plus -8 plus 8 equals 16 plus 8?

It is the property that equals plus equals are equals.


If a plus b equals c and b plus c equals d and c plus d equals e and a equals 7 and e equals 5 what is a plus b plus c plus d plus e equal?

the answer is a


2 plus 5 plus 3 equals 132 3 plus 6 plus 4 equals 380 4 plus 2 plus 7 equals 63 6 plus 3 plus 6 equals 228 8 plus 5 plus 2 equals?

No.


2 plus 3 equals 10 and 7 plus 2 equals 63 and 6 plus 5 equals 66 and 8 plus 4 equals 96 Then 9 plus 7 equals?

If I am correct, 9 plus 7 equals 112.


2 plus 3 equals 8 3 plus 7 equals 27 4 plus 5 equals 32 5 plus 8 equals 60 6 plus 7 equals 72 7 plus 8 equals what?

89


If 2 plus 3 equals 10 7 plus 2 equals 63 6 plus 5 equals 66 8 plus 4 equals 96 then 9 plus 4 equals?

26


If 2 plus 3 equals 10 7 plus 2 equals 65 6 plus 5 equals 66 8 plus 4 equals 96 then what 9 plus 7 equals?

144


If 2 plus 3 equals 10 and 7 plus 2 equals 63 and 6 plus 5 equals 66 and 9 plus 7 equals 96 9 plus 7 equals what?

96


If 5 plus 3 equals 23 3 plus 8 equals 35 6-2 equals -8 4 plus 9 equals 49 1 plus 3 equals 7 then 4 plus 1 equals?

42