Multiplying and Dividing Negative Numbers

A positive multiplied by a negative gives a negative.

Multiply the numbers first: $7\times 2=14$. There is exactly one negative sign, so the answer is negative.

So $7\times (-2)=-14$.

Division and multiplication have equal priority, so work from left to right.

First: $(-8)÷4=-2$, because a negative divided by a positive is negative.

Then: $(-2)\times (-2)=4$, because a negative multiplied by a negative gives a positive.

Take care with the last step: × (−2) means multiply by negative two, not subtract two. So the answer is 4.

Division and multiplication have equal priority, so work from left to right.

First, $(-6)÷2=-3$ (a negative divided by a positive is negative).

Then $-3\times (-5)=15$, because a negative multiplied by a negative gives a positive.

So the answer is 15. Both steps must be completed: stopping at $-3$, or dropping one of the minus signs, changes the answer.

Do the division and multiplication first, working from left to right, and leave the addition until last.

$(-6)÷2=-3$, then $-3\times (-4)=12$ (negative × negative = positive).

Now the addition: $12+(-3)=12-3=9$.

Adding a negative number is the same as subtracting, so the answer is 9, not 15.

Division and multiplication come first, left to right.

$(-15)÷(-3)=5$, because a negative divided by a negative is positive.

Then $5\times (-5)=-25$, because a positive times a negative is negative.

Finally the addition: $-25+(-4)=-25-4=-29$. Adding a negative moves further down the number line, so the answer is $-29$.

Work out all the divisions and multiplications first, then add.

$(-24)÷(-3)=8$ (negative ÷ negative = positive), then $8\times (-2)=-16$.

The second product is $(-6)\times (-1)=6$ (negative × negative = positive).

Now add the two results: $-16+6=-10$. Adding 6 to $-16$ moves 6 places up the number line, so the answer is $-10$, not $10$.