Positive

(póz'i-tiv.) [From L. posit us, placed.] Actual; existing in fact.-(Alg.) A P. quantity, designated by the character+ prefixed or supposed to be prefixed to it, is a quantity opposed to that which is negative. Thus, if the latter represent a debt, a positive quantity will represent money in po e ion, or to which one has a claim; if it represent motion towards the south, a positive quantity will represent motion towards the north. Negative quantities are just as real as positive, and it is absurd to suppose that in any case they can be le than nothing. If I owe money beyond what I am able to pay, my condition is negative, and I am worse off than if I simply po e ed nothing-the debt is a reality.(Photog.) A picture that corresponds with the original with respect to its lights and shades, instead of being reversed, as a negative.- P. electricity. See ELECTRICITY. [s. 725]