When are forces negative or positive in physics problems?

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SS2006
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im always confued about negative and positive signs, soemone give em a easy way to remember
is whatever is on the left side of the x-axis egative, and above positive always?
also when is friction negative, if the mass if moving up a ramp, is friction always negative, and if its moving down, its postitive?
thanks
 
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Friction always action in the opposite direction of the applied force. coordinate system is arbitary you can define positive or negative any way you want.