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In mathematics, a negative number is the opposite of a positive real number. [1] Equivalently, a negative number is a real number that is less than zero. Negative numbers are often used to represent the magnitude of a loss or deficiency. A debt that is owed may be thought of as a negative asset.
Negative numbers: Real numbers that are less than zero. Because zero itself has no sign, neither the positive numbers nor the negative numbers include zero. When zero is a possibility, the following terms are often used: Non-negative numbers: Real numbers that are greater than or equal to zero. Thus a non-negative number is either zero or positive.
Historically the term was used for a number that was a multiple of 1, [10] [11] or to the whole part of a mixed number. [12] [13] Only positive integers were considered, making the term synonymous with the natural numbers. The definition of integer expanded over time to include negative numbers as their usefulness was recognized. [14]
Negative number In mathematics, a negative number is the opposite (mathematics) of a positive real number.[1] Equivalently, a negative number is a real number that is less than zero. Negative numbers are often used to represent the magnitude of a loss or deficiency. A debt that is owed may be thought of as a negative asset.
A number is non-negative if it is greater than or equal to zero. A number is non-positive if it is less than or equal to zero. When 0 is said to be both positive and negative, [citation needed] modified phrases are used to refer to the sign of a number: A number is strictly positive if it is greater than zero. A number is strictly negative if ...
Converting a number from scientific notation to decimal notation, first remove the × 10 n on the end, then shift the decimal separator n digits to the right (positive n) or left (negative n). The number 1.2304 × 10 6 would have its decimal separator shifted 6 digits to the right and become 1,230,400, while −4.0321 × 10 −3 would have its ...
Because of the rules of division of signed numbers (which states in part that negative divided by positive is negative), − 1 / 2 , −1 / 2 and 1 / −2 all represent the same fraction – negative one-half. And because a negative divided by a negative produces a positive, −1 / −2 represents positive one-half.
The first European-made pocket-sized calculator, DB 800 [43] [44] was made in May 1971 by Digitron in Buje, Croatia (former Yugoslavia) with four functions and an eight-digit display and special characters for a negative number and a warning that the calculation has too many digits to display.