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negatives

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A puzzling equation 2018-12-04
From Manny:
Hello,

Can you explain why this is wrong:
-1 = (-1)^3 = (-1)^{6/2} = ((-1)^6)^{1/2} = (1)^{1/2} = 1 ??

Thank you

Answered by Penny Nom.
Adding two negatives 2018-02-04
From Pinasshakoane:
(-23)+(-3)
Answered by Penny Nom.
A negative times a negative 2010-03-25
From priya:
why is minus into minus plus?
Answered by Harley Weston.
Multiplcation of two negative numbers 2007-07-26
From Brett:
Someone asked a question about multiplication and division of two negative numbers yielding a positive result here: http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/qq/database/QQ.09.99/butler1.html I was not fully happy with the explanation b/c I want to give me daughter a real-world example and I can't seem to find one.

The following illustrates why multiplying negative numbers has become difficult to explain:

2 X 2 = 4

----(-4)---(-2)---0---2---4
In this example we start with 2 and then want 2 more of them. When we move across the number line from 2 to our answer, which is four, we have moved only 2 units to the right.

-2 X -2 = 4

----(-4)---(-2)---0---2---4
In this example we start with -2 and then want -2 more of them. When we move across the number line from -2 to our answer, which is four, we have moved 6 units to the right.

How can the phenomenon of multiplying two negative numbers being more powerful than multiplying two positive numbers be explained? -Brett

Answered by Stephen La Rocque and Harley Weston.
What is the difference between -(3) and (-3)? 2007-02-11
From Mckaylla:
What is the difference between -(3) and (-3)?
Answered by Melanie Tyrer.
-3^4 and (-3)^4 2005-12-17
From Brad:
What is the answer to

-34 = ?
-(3)4 = ?

(-3)4 = ?

Answered by Penny Nom.
-120 divided by -15 2005-11-09
From Joshua:
how do you evaluate -120 divided by (-15)
Answered by Penny Nom.
12-42, 8-26, 10-34, 9-30, 16-58 2005-08-31
From Elizabeth:
here is a math question my niece gave me, grade 7

12-42, 8-26, 10-34, 9-30, 16-58

first day of school and this is what they give her no explanation

Answered by Harley Weston.
The sum of two numbers is 5 and their difference is 2003-06-16
From Akhil:
The sum of two numbers is 5 and their difference is 11. What is the product of the two numbers?
Answered by Penny Nom.
F = -3 + 3 2002-03-19
From Jessica:
F= -3 + 3 WHAT IS F?????
Answered by Penny Nom.
A negative times a negative 2000-02-29
From Michael J. Butler :
I have reviewed the answer in relation to the question of why (-3)x(-2)=6; however, I am still not able to properly explain the reasoning to my son, Jonathan, who is in grade 7. I want him to understand the reason for the rule that the multiplication or division of two negative numbers equals a positive number. Can you help?
Answered by Chris Fisher.
 
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