Why is weight positive if gravity is negative?

[PhizKid]

Homework Statement

Why is weight positive if gravity is negative?

Homework Equations

W = mg

The Attempt at a Solution

So say there is some weight of an object, and the object's mass is multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity pointing downwards, so the weight becomes negative when the positive mass is multiplied by a negative acceleration. Weight should then be negative, but why is weight always positive?

 

[Doc Al]

W = mg just gives the magnitude of the weight, which is positive. The direction of the weight vector is downward. (Note that g is a positive constant.) Often when you talk about the weight of something you just mean the magnitude.