B How Can I Calculate Negative Multiplication Without Following Traditional Rules?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating negative multiplication without adhering to traditional rules. A user presents a scenario of multiplying 6 pencils by negative two, concluding that 6 x -2 equals -6 based on their reasoning. However, others clarify that starting with 6 pencils means the equation should be interpreted as 6 + (-2 x 6), resulting in -6. If the initial count were zero, the outcome would be -12, emphasizing the importance of the starting value in calculations. The thread concludes with a reminder that the original post was deleted after receiving clarification, which is against forum rules.
pyroclasticsoul
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Do NOT delete your Original Post after you have received replies and help
TL;DR Summary
Negative times positive
Say I have 6 pencils. I want to times this by negative two. Now ignoring the rules that your teacher taught you work this out. 6 pencils negative 2 times. Negative one time would be 0 and another negative times would be -6 right? So 6 x - 2 = -6 according to simple logic. The calculator will say -12 but if I took 6 away from 6 3 times that would be -12.
 
  • Skeptical
Likes PeroK
Mathematics news on Phys.org
pyroclasticsoul said:
TL;DR Summary: Negative times positive

Say I have 6 pencils. I want to times this by negative two. Now ignoring the rules that your teacher taught you work this out. 6 pencils negative 2 times. Negative one time would be 0 and another negative times would be -6 right? So 6 x - 2 = -6 according to simple logic. The calculator will say -12 but if I took 6 away from 6 3 times that would be -12.
No. You started out with 6. "I have 6 pencils." You're describing 6 + -2x6 which equals -6.

If you had started out with zero, then the final answer would indeed be -12.
 
  • Like
Likes fresh_42
DaveC426913 said:
No. You started out with 6. "I have 6 pencils." You're describing 6 + -2x6 which equals -6.

If you had started out with zero, then the final answer would indeed be -12.
I thought about that but why do I start with 0 and not 6 since 6 is the number adjusted by -2.
 
pyroclasticsoul said:
why do I start with 0

Read the problem statement you wrote.

"I have 6 pencils"

The problem starts at +6 pencils.
 
Note -- the OP deleted their first post after getting help from Dave. This is not allowed. The OP text is restored and this thread is now closed.
 
  • Like
Likes SammyS, Bystander and topsquark

Thread 'Non-orthogonal bases'

Suppose ,instead of the usual x,y coordinate system with an I basis vector along the x -axis and a corresponding j basis vector along the y-axis we instead have a different pair of basis vectors ,call them e and f along their respective axes. I have seen that this is an important subject in maths My question is what physical applications does such a model apply to? I am asking here because I have devoted quite a lot of time in the past to understanding convectors and the dual...
View full post »

Thread 'Fermat's Last Theorem'

Fermat's Last Theorem has long been one of the most famous mathematical problems, and is now one of the most famous theorems. It simply states that the equation $$ a^n+b^n=c^n $$ has no solutions with positive integers if ##n>2.## It was named after Pierre de Fermat (1607-1665). The problem itself stems from the book Arithmetica by Diophantus of Alexandria. It gained popularity because Fermat noted in his copy "Cubum autem in duos cubos, aut quadratoquadratum in duos quadratoquadratos, et...
View full post »

Thread 'What Exactly is Dirac’s Delta Function? - Insight'

Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. In Dirac’s Principles of Quantum Mechanics published in 1930 he introduced a “convenient notation” he referred to as a “delta function” which he treated as a continuum analog to the discrete Kronecker delta. The Kronecker delta is simply the indexed components of the identity operator in matrix algebra Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/what-exactly-is-diracs-delta-function/ by...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Death Rally: an intricate probability problem?
Replies
8
Views
2K
I Is the equation 0!=1 based on flawed reasoning?
2
Replies
55
Views
5K
How to correctly round in physics?
Replies
8
Views
2K
MHB How Can You Calculate the Area of Shaded Regions in Complex Geometric Figures?
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Time evolution of the electromagnetic wavefunction on a lattice
Replies
9
Views
2K
I Karatsuba multiplication implementation question
Replies
3
Views
2K
Commutative property of multiplication
Replies
8
Views
4K
MHB How can I find these coefficients?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Torque on a Pivot Point With Multiple Forces and Different Directions
Replies
6
Views
2K
B Which probability calculation is "more correct" in Baccarat games?
Replies
9
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top