A negative is a term used in various contexts, often referring to something that is undesirable or unfavorable. In photography, a negative is an image where the colors and brightness are inverted, meaning light areas appear dark and vice versa. This allows for the creation of positive prints by exposing the negative to light. In mathematics, a negative number is a value less than zero, indicating a deficit or loss. For example, in the context of finances, a negative balance means that expenses exceed income. Understanding negatives is essential in fields like photography, finance, and mathematics.