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Multiplying and Dividing with Negatives

Multiplying with Negatives

There's a simple rule here:

  • (positive) × (positive) = (positive)
  • (positive) × (negative) = (negative)
  • (negative) × (positive) = (negative)
  • (negative) × (negative) = (positive)

Example :

  • ( 3 ) ( 7 ) = 21
  • ( 3 ) ( 7 ) = 21
  • ( 3 ) ( 7 ) = 21
  • ( 3 ) ( 7 ) = 21

Important Thing To Notice:

Since a positive times a positive is positive, and a negative times a negative is also positive, it follows that any number times itself is either zero or positive.

  • ( 12 ) ( 12 ) = 144
  • ( 12 ) ( 12 ) = 144

Dividing with Negatives

The same rule works with division:

  • (positive) ÷ (positive) = (positive)
  • (positive) ÷ (negative) = (negative)
  • (negative) ÷ (positive) = (negative)
  • (negative) ÷ (negative) = (positive)

Example :

  • 56 ÷ 7 = 8
  • 56 ÷ ( 7 ) = 8
  • 56 ÷ 7 = 8
  • 56 ÷ ( 7 ) = 8