Question

in class, matthew stated "i think that a negative is like an opposite. That is why multiplying a negative times a negative equals a positive. The opposite of negative is positive, so it is just like multiplying the opposite of a negative twice, which is two positives." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? What would you say in response to him?

Answer 1

Yes and no. A negative number and it's opposite are 'integers.' Yes, a negative and a negative multiplied together give you a positive. The two negative signs cancel out making it positive. But no, a positive and a positive multiplied together do not give you a negative. When you subtract positive numbers you can get a negative, but not when multiplying. If you were to do a positive times a negative it would be negative because the positive can't cancel it out. Example: -3 · -3 = 9. [] 3 · 3 = 9. [] -3 · 3 = -9. Other than the positive number part, the statement is true about the negatives. I hope that helped!

Answer 2

Answer: Yes, I agree with this statement.

Explanation:

Yes, I agree with this statement.

Whenever we multiply two negative numbers, we get a positive number.

As two negatives makes a positive.

Negative is just like an opposite.

Opposite of 4 is -4.

and negative of 4 is also -4.

The opposite of negative is positive.

i.e. opposite of -4 is 4.

So, Negative is always treat as opposite.