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Re: -1 x -1 ?
Posted:
Sep 16, 1999 5:47 PM
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Using juxtaposition for multiplication, by association:
[ab + a(-b)] + (-a)(-b) = ab + [a(-b) + (-a)(-b)]
Then by distribution, the definition of "-", a0=0a=0, a+0=0:
above = ab + [a + (-a)](-b) = ab + 0(-b) = ab.
Likewise:
[ab + a(-b)] + (-a)(-b) = a[b + (-b)] + (-a)(-b) = a0 + (-a)(-b) =
(-a)(-b).
A fortiori the result follows.
So, it's not "the fundamental reason" but lots of fundamental reasons.
Can a simpler proof be given? Perhaps the special case (-1)(-1) = 1 can
be proved more simply. A supplementary: is there an interesting
algebraic system in which it's false?
Guillermo Phillips wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> Here's something I've always wondered (perhaps in my naivety). Why
> should -1 x -1 = 1?
> I appreciate that lots of nice things come from this, but what's the
> fundamental reason for it?
>
> Guillermo.
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