What is Positive and negative: Definition and 52 Discussions

In mathematics, the concept of sign originates from the property that every real number is either positive, negative or zero. Depending on local conventions, zero is either considered as being neither a positive number, nor a negative number (having no sign or a specific sign of its own), or as belonging to both negative and positive numbers (having both signs). Whenever not specifically mentioned, this article adheres to the first convention.
In some contexts, it makes sense to consider a signed zero (such as floating-point representations of real numbers within computers). In mathematics and physics, the phrase "change of sign" is associated with the generation of the additive inverse (negation, or multiplication by −1) of any object that allows for this construction, and is not restricted to real numbers. It applies among other objects to vectors, matrices, and complex numbers, which are not prescribed to be only either positive, negative, or zero. The word "sign" is also often used to indicate other binary aspects of mathematical objects that resemble positivity and negativity, such as odd and even (sign of a permutation), sense of orientation or rotation (cw/ccw), one sided limits, and other concepts described in § Other meanings below.

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  1. M

    Should positive and negative charge be termed opposites?

    Should positive and negative charge be termed opposites? Maybe they are merely complimentary and this is why they seek each other and are not opposites?
  2. R

    Positive and negative charges(mainly relating to copy machines)

    Why is it that black colors create a positive elctrical charge, while white colors send a negative charge? Does it have to do with different wave lengths? When light (in a copy machine) is focused on to the photoconductive drum, why and how does the black color become positively charged? I...
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