When dividing two negative numbers, what is the result?

When dividing two negative numbers, the result is positive. This is a fundamental rule in mathematics regarding the division of signed numbers. The reasoning behind this lies in the basic properties of numbers.

To understand why two negatives make a positive, consider the idea of division as the process of determining how many times one number can be contained within another. If both numbers are negative, effectively you are asking how many 'negative times' fit into another 'negative.' The interaction of these two negatives results in a positive outcome, as the concept of negation cancels itself out.

For instance, when you divide -10 by -2, you can reframe it as asking how many times -2 fits into -10. Since -2 can fit into -10 five times in negative terms (i.e., -10 is -5 times -2), the mathematical outcome is +5, demonstrating that the result is indeed positive.

This concept also plays a crucial role in more complex mathematical equations, helping maintain consistency and logical structure in mathematics. Thus, the conclusion that the result of dividing two negative numbers is positive is grounded in these fundamental properties of arithmetic.