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This is NOT a proof, just an explanation.

Imagine you are on a number line and you are walking. Multiplying x*y is taking x steps, each of size y. Negative steps are interpreted by requriring you to face the negative end of the line before you start walking and negative step sizes are backward where backward is heel first. This mean to find, -x*-y you stand on zero, face in the negative direction, and then take x backward steps, each of size y.

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Q: Why does a negative number multiplied by a negative number equals a positive number?
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What is a negative number multiplied by a negative number?

A negative number multiplied by another negative number equals a positive number. For example, -5 · -5 = positive 25.


Why does a negative number plus a negative number equal a positive number?

It does not. A negative number multiplied by a negative number equals a positive number.


Multiplying negative numbers?

any two negative numbers multiplied together equals a positive number. any two positives numbers multiplied together equal positive numbers and any negative and positive numbers multiplied together equals a negative.negative, negative = positivenegative, positive = negativepositive, positive = positive


Any positive or negative number multiplied by zero?

equals zero


Is a positive number multiplied by a negative number a positive answer?

No No. Positive number multiplied by a negative number gives a negative number.


Why is -1 X -1 equals plus 1?

Any time that a negative number is being multipled by another negative number, it equals a positive number. In this case, -1 multiplied by -1 equals 1. Another example of this is -5 multiplied by -5 which equals 25. Though if you multiply a negative by a positve, it equals a negative. If you were to multiply a positive by a positve, it will always equal a positve.


When can the square of a negative number be negative?

This can never be. The square of any number will always be positive. Any positive number multiplied by another positive number will be positive, while any negative number multiplied by another negative number will be positive.


What is a negative number multiplied by a positive number?

a negative number


Negative number multiplied by negative number?

positive number


What is a positive number multiplied by a negative number?

a negative number


Negative number multiplied by a positive number?

Negative number.


Why is it when you multiply two negative integers that it is a positive answer?

Multiplying anything non-zero by a negative number changes the sign. A positive number multiplied by a negative number becomes negative. A negative number multiplied by a negative number becomes positive.