Jane completes several example problems that ask her to the find the opposite of the opposite of a number, and for each example, the result is a positive number. Jane concludes that when she takes the opposite of the opposite of any number, the result will always be positive. Is Jane correct? Why or why not?

Question

Mathematics

Brynlee Nelson

29 October, 04:43

Jane completes several example problems that ask her to the find the opposite of the opposite of a number, and for each example, the result is a positive number. Jane concludes that when she takes the opposite of the opposite of any number, the result will always be positive. Is Jane correct? Why or why not?

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Answers (1)

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Deon Swanson · Answer 1

Jane is not correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jane must have complete several examples using positive numbers. That conclusion does not apply for negative numbers.

Let's see an example:

Given the number 5:

its opposite number is: - 5 the opposite of this opposite number: is 5

Note that is the same number and it is positive.

However, if we check the same situation with a negative number:

Given the number - 3:

its opposite number is: 3 the opposite of this opposite number: is - 3

In conclusion, Jane's conclusion is wrong. The opposite of the opposite number is not always a positive number.