Math for Computer Science
6 | Multiplying and dividing negative numbers
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Examples
Practice Problems
Introduction
How are negative numbers multiplied and divided?
Multiplying and dividing negative numbers can be summarized with the following rules:
- Multiplying a negative and a positive results in a negative
- Multiplying two negatives results in a positive
- Dividing a negative and a positive results in a negative
- Dividing two negatives results in a positive
Examples
Multiplying negative numbers
Q: 3 × (-5)
A: Multiplying 3 and -5 means adding 3 groups of -5. Since adding negatives results in a move to the left on the number line, 3 × (-5) is -15.
Dividing negative numbers
Q: -15 ÷ (-5)
A: Dividing -15 and -5 means counting groups of -5 until we get to -15. Since adding negatives results in a move to the left on the number line, our quotient will be positive. Thus, -15 ÷ (-5) = 3.
Practice | Multiplying and Dividing Negative Numbers
Click "Create Report" upon completion of any practice set to document your progress: Example