Science Forums 2

[HydrogenBond]

Minus numbers are important to math, but they imply something less than nothing, which sort of defies common sense. The minus numbers sort of imply debt, and are therefore not something tangible, in the present tense and often need paperwork to make them tangible. It is more based on the past and future. Positive numbers use the present tense in terms of tangible reality.

For example, if I have 5 apples and take away 3, I have 2. There is no smoke and mirrors and it is quite clear. But if I start with negative three apples, who knows what political party might be in power down the line, such that I may be able to negotiate paying back 1 of 3, thereby making -3 equal to -1 in the future. Theoretically, I could begin with negative 3 apples, give one back in the future, and end up with zero.

Math assumes the ideal world, where negative implies a fixed deficit, that has to be paid back in kind. But that is not the real world. If Joe steals three apples from John, John will have negative three apples. Joe might eat the apples (take away three) and have none. John will go to the police and have Joe arrested. Joe may not be required to pay back any apples, but may magically turn minus three apples into a week in the slammer. It does get confusing so it is taught later.