In message , Jeff writes
On 29/09/2015 14:31, Jerry Stuckle wrote:
On 9/29/2015 4:40 AM, Jeff wrote:

Physicists and engineers do not mix gain and loss. Gain is always shown
as a positive number and loss as a negative number.

For instance - a system shows a gain and loss of +3, +5, +2, +1. What
is the total gain or loss of the system?


Of course they do, particularly when dealing with a quantity that is
defined as a LOSS.

I have never heard any engineer when asked the question 'what is that
attenuator' reply minus 3 dB. It is always 3dB. It is always called a
3dB attenuator, not a minus 3dB attenuator.

Jeff

Yes, and the power out is never +3db relative to the input. It is
always -3db.



Which is often referred to as 3dB loss (or 3dB down), ie a positive
quantity.

And Jerry still hasn't answered my question about him losing -$10.
--
Ian