# negatives and positives

#### schopper2002

##### New member
I know this might be a simple one, but me and my daughter are in debate on who is right.

I learned two negatives ALWAYS make postive & she agrees with me on this.

BUT... :roll:

I learned that an odd number of negatives ALWAYS gives a negative number

She is says that she is learning that a positive number and a negative number are postive IF the postive comes first.

So, can some one help :?: :?: :?: :?:

#### galactus

##### Super Moderator
Staff member
Are you talking multiplication of negatives?.

Then $$\displaystyle \L\\(-a)^{2k} = positive, \;\ x\neq{0}, \;\ k=1,2,3,......$$

$$\displaystyle \L\\(-a)^{2k-1} = negative, \;\ k=1,2,3,..............$$

If the exponent is a even, then it's positive.

If the exponent is odd, then it's negative.

If multiplying, it makes no difference what comes first.

If you had (6)(-6) or (-6)(6), they're both -36 regardless if the negative is first or not.

#### schopper2002

##### New member
Thank you!!!!!! She told me that I was the genius......I am not.....She works very hard. :lol: