Why is it correct to say “to negate a double”? [closed]

Question

In programming you can negate a double. At least Google hits tend to that, but there are, though, a lot of hits for invert a double.

While the definition of to invert is clear

to invert:

to change the normal position of something, especially by turning it upside down or by arranging it in the opposite order

the definition of to negate seems to have a bit different meaning

to negate:

1 to stop something from having any effect

2 to state that something does not exist

Other dictionaries like merriam-wesbster back that up:

to deny the existence or truth of

to cause to be ineffective or invalid

Having said that I wonder why there are so many Google hits for to negate a double. We neither make it invalid nor we cease its existence.

I found one definition that goes into the direction of turning a value to its opposite but the definition fits more to a boolean than a double because NOT 5 is unequal to MINUS 5.

Computer Science: To perform the machine logic operation NOT gate. ^{thefreedictionary}

But the noun negation fits at all:

negation:

the exact opposite of something; the act of causing something not to exist or to become its opposite

So, why do we negate a double instead of invert a double?

Answer 1

In mathematics, the negation of x is −x, while the inverse of x is 1/x. You shouldn't necessarily expect the meaning of terms used mathematically to correspond exactly to the ordinary English meaning of the terms.