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.
Thank you
Answer by funmath(2933)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! What are the rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers.
:
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:
1. If the signs are the same, add the numbers and keep the sign:
Ex. -2-3=-5 and 2+3=5
2. If the signs are different, subtract the smaller from the bigger and keep the sign of the biggest number:
Ex. -2+3=1 and 2-3=-1
:
When multiplying and dividing, there are two rules:
1. If the signs are the same, multiply or divide as usual and the answer is positive:
Ex. (-2)*(-3)=6 and (2)(3)=6
-6/-3=2 and 6/3=2
2. If the signs are different, multiply or divide as usual and the answer is negative:
Ex. (2)*(-3)=-6 and (-2)*(3)=-6
6/-3=-2 and -6/3=-2
Hope that helps!!!
Happy Calculating!!!
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