document.write( "Question 56692: What are the rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers. It's been 30 years since I've had algebra and can't remember.\r
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Algebra.Com's Answer #38466 by funmath(2933) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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What are the rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers.
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\n" ); document.write( "Don't think of it as adding and subtracting signed numbers, think of it as combining numbers. That way there are only two rules to remember:
\n" ); document.write( "1. If the signs are the same, add the numbers and keep the sign:
\n" ); document.write( "Ex. -2-3=-5 and 2+3=5
\n" ); document.write( "2. If the signs are different, subtract the smaller from the bigger and keep the sign of the biggest number:
\n" ); document.write( "Ex. -2+3=1 and 2-3=-1
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\n" ); document.write( "When multiplying and dividing, there are two rules:
\n" ); document.write( "1. If the signs are the same, multiply or divide as usual and the answer is positive:
\n" ); document.write( "Ex. (-2)*(-3)=6 and (2)(3)=6
\n" ); document.write( "-6/-3=2 and 6/3=2
\n" ); document.write( "2. If the signs are different, multiply or divide as usual and the answer is negative:
\n" ); document.write( "Ex. (2)*(-3)=-6 and (-2)*(3)=-6
\n" ); document.write( "6/-3=-2 and -6/3=-2
\n" ); document.write( "Hope that helps!!!
\n" ); document.write( "Happy Calculating!!! \n" ); document.write( "

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