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The Four Rules for Negative Numbers

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The Four Rules for Negative Numbers

You should be able to calculate: the sum, difference, product and quotient of negative numbers as well as positive numbers.

Calculating the sum

Calculating the sum

  • When calculating the sum of two negative numbers, you go down the number scale away from 0.
Calculating the product

Calculating the product

  • When you multiply two negative numbers together, the product is positive.
  • But when you multiply one negative number by one positive number the product is always negative.
Calculating the quotient

Calculating the quotient

  • When both numbers in the division calculation are negative, the quotient is positive.
  • When one number in the division calculation is negative and the other is positive, the quotient is negative.
Some tips

Some tips

  • Calculating the sum and difference:
    • If the calculation's function (the + or −) is the same as the sign in front of the 2nd number in the equation, the answer will be positive.
    • If the calculation's function (the + or −) is different to the sign in front of the 2nd number in the equation, the answer will be negative.
  • Calculating the product and quotient:
    • If the numbers in the equation are either both positive or both negative, the answer will be a positive number.
    • If one number in the equation is positive and the other is negative, the answer will be a negative number.
Jump to other topics
1

Proof

2

Algebra & Functions

2.1

Powers & Roots

2.2

Quadratic Equations

2.3

Inequalities

2.4

Polynomials

2.5

Graphs

2.6

Functions

2.7

Transformation of Graphs

2.8

Partial Fractions (A2 Only)

3

Coordinate Geometry

4

Sequences & Series

5

Trigonometry

6

Exponentials & Logarithms

7

Differentiation

8

Integration

9

Numerical Methods

10

Vectors

Practice questions on The Four Rules for Negative Numbers

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