That is a very good question. Let me break it down by Multiplication, Division, Addition, and finally Subtraction.
Multiplication:
Negative x Positive = Negative
Ex: -4 x 5 = -20
Positive x Positive = Positive
Ex: 5 x 4 = 20
Negative x Negative = Positive.
Ex: -5 x -4 = 20
Division:
Negative ÷ Positive = Negative
Ex: -5 ÷ 5 = -1
Positive ÷ Positive = Positive
Ex: 5 ÷ 5 = 1
Negative ÷ Negative = Positive
Ex: -5 ÷ -5 = 1
Addition:
Positive + Positive = Positive
Ex: 20 + 20 = 40
Positive + Negative = Takes the sign of the greater number.
Ex: 50 + -60 = -10
Ex: 60 + -50 = 10
Negative + Negative = Negative
Ex: -50 + -20 = -70
Subtraction:
Positive - Positive = Positive
Ex: 10 - 5 = 5
Negative - Positive = Negative
Ex: -7 - 1 = -8
Negative - Negative = Takes the sign of the greater number
Ex: -5 - (-4) = -1
Ex: -6 - (-7) = 1
Explanation: Remember in Multiplication a Negative x Negative = Positive? Well look at the signs in the last example. In -5 - (-4) the minus sign is being multiplied to the -4. So -1 x -4 = 4. Rewrite it. -5 + 4 = -1. In the second example the sign rule applies. -6 - (-7), Negative x Negative = Positive. So -1 x -7 = 7. Therefore 7 + (-6) = 1.
Remember the ultimate algebra rule. Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtraction
This is called the Order of Operations.
A negative times a negative equals a positive A negative times a positive equals a negative A positive times a positive equals a positive
It is a rule in math!
Yes, when a positive is divided by a negative, it is negative. ex: 4/-2 would equal -2. It takes two negatives to make a positive in math when you are multiplying or dividing.
you put this in math you idiot
Zero is a number that is not effected by positive or negative signs.
positive is to add and negative is to subtract in math
A negative times a negative equals a positive A negative times a positive equals a negative A positive times a positive equals a positive
In Math, a negative can be represented with -. A positive can be represented with +, or just without a -.
It is a rule in math!
In math, a positive is a number greater then zero, and a negative number is less than zero.
negative. why is this question in math when it should be in chemistry?
In math, a positive is a number greater then zero, and a negative number is less than zero.
Yes, when a positive is divided by a negative, it is negative. ex: 4/-2 would equal -2. It takes two negatives to make a positive in math when you are multiplying or dividing.
In math, positive means greater than zero, and negative means less than zero.
a zewithalarion shows poth positive and negative; go figure...
you put this in math you idiot
It depends on what you do with the negative and positive. If you multiply or divide a positive number and a negative number, then the answer is negative. If you add or subtract a positive number and a negative number, the answer could be negative or positive depending on the numbers involved. If you put a negative sign in front of a positive number, the result is a negative number. If you put a positive sign in front of a negative number (like +(-7)), the result is still negative.