Is Zero Negative Or Positive

When we teach math at domicile, nosotros get-go with the counting numbers. And so we move to either the homeschool or classroom setting and build on those with negatives. And zero is sometimes left backside.

Zero seems to be an understood concept because it'due south and then much a part of our lives, as grownups. But zero is a very unusual bug.

Is Zero Positive?

Nosotros think of the numbers as either positive or negative.

But actually, all existent numbers can be divided into iii categories: positive, negative and zero.

This is one of the reasons goose egg tin be forgotten in all this mix. With so many other numbers to exist positive and negative, zero'south truly in a class by himself.

Find I wrote "All existent numbers tin can be divided into three categories." Imaginary and circuitous numbers tin can't be classified this fashion. Y'all can order imaginary and complex numbers, but y'all have to practice it without labeling them as positive or negative.

Why can't we just say zero is positive?

I guess nosotros could. Only yous might not want to when you come across this…

In math, sometimes, nosotros exercise things because if we didn't, they'd mess everything else upwards.

This is 1 of those situations.

Then let's say 0 is positive, merely for the infinitesimal.

Take the rule, "When multiplying, if the signs are dissimilar, the result is negative." So and then (positive) nada times negative 3 is (negative) null. Like this:

0 x -3 = +0 x -3 = -0

But we determined that zero was positive!

So this messes things upwards. Therefore, naught needs to be in a class by himself.

Only nilfeels positive and negative, sometimes!

Indeed if a kid doesn't owe his sister annihilation, that'south a positive feeling.

If yous owe someone $3, and so yous can say you have negative iii dollars. And so if yous owe them nothing, don't y'all take a negative nil dollars?

This is more of a direction than a positive or negative sign. The "vector" (arrow in a management) that has length zero can technically be pointing in any direction. It doesn't affair. And that's what's going on when you think of naught as positive or negative. You think of owing (money going in a direction) nothing.

But remember, that'southward just thinking of nada as positive or negative. He really isn't either.

He'due south merely nada.

Check out the classic Schoolhouse Rock Multiplication Rock video and permit me know what you think of all this zero talk.

http://youtu.be/Nvc2PPTlW7k