Why do two negative numbers multiplied give a positive number?

Beyond the boundaries of established science an avalanche of exotic ideas compete for our attention. Experts tell us that these ideas should not be permitted to take up the time of working scientists, and for the most part they are surely correct. But what about the gems in the rubble pile? By what ground-rules might we bring extraordinary new possibilities to light? If you have a personal favorite theory, that is in someway related to the Electric Universe, this is where it can be posted.
Roshi
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Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 4:35 pm

Why do two negative numbers multiplied give a positive number?

Unread post by Roshi » Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:16 am

The answer is simple.
But - ask around, 99% of the answers will be "because that's the rule". Even if you ask people with university degrees.

If people do not bother to ask themselves something as simple as that, because the question did not appear anywhere during school (at least not for me), imagine what other more complex "rules" are taken for granted, and nobody even imagines there should be a question.

And the answer: (-1) x (-1) = -(-1).
The minus sign signifies a subtraction or a "debt". Removing a debt results in a gain.

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