# If negative of negative (--) = positive then why not positive of positive(++)= negative

As per my understanding positive and negative are just indicative of direction of number axes with zero at the center. If that is the case we should apply same laws to both positive and negative numbers.

But actually we treat negating and positive entirely differently in computation

e.g. negative of negative = positive but positive of positive =positive

Is there anything we are missing ?

• That's like asking "If $\frac12 \cdot 2 =1$, why isn't $1\cdot 1=\frac12$?"
– MPW
Mar 29, 2015 at 13:00
• See this explanation with an (appropriate?) interpretation of signs as direction. Mar 29, 2015 at 13:03
• @Pedro: Thanks that was helpful Mar 29, 2015 at 13:07
• If a minus times a minus was a minus, the graph of $y=-x$ would look like a $\Lambda$ instead of a line. If a plus times a plus was a minus, the graph of $y=+x$ would look like a $\rm V$ instead of a line. Mar 29, 2015 at 23:07

Why do you think we are treating them differently? We have $$++\to +\\--\to +\\+-\to -\\-+\to-,$$ which has a remarkable symmetry.
And, on top of that, the image: the minus sign is a "make a 180 degree turn" and the plus sign is "don't turn". So, if you have $-(-5)$, you make a turn, then you make a turn, then walk 5 units of length. Two turns of 180 degrees amount to not turning at all.