Multiplying and Dividing Positive and Negative Numbers

A double-negative always makes a positive. If you say that you are not, not going to go to the grocery store, that means you’re going!

The same is true in math: two negatives makes a positive.

Here are the basic rules for multiplying and dividing with positives and negatives:

  • a positive times/divided by a positive is a positive
  • a negative times/divided by a positive is a negative
  • a positive times/divided by a negative is a negative
  • a negative times/divided by a negative is a positive

Examples of these basic rules for multiplying and dividing with positives and negative numbers:

Note that when there are two positives or two negatives, the answer is positive.

When there is one of each, the answer is negative.

When you are multiplying or dividing more than two numbers, the same rules apply. Just solve following the order of operations and work through only two numbers at a time.

Example math problems for multiplying and dividing with positives and negative numbers:

  1. 4 x (-2) x (-5)
    • Start with the first two numbers, 4 x (-2) = -8
    • Now plug in the -8 and finish the problem: -8 x (-5) = 40
    • 4 x (-2) x (-5) = 40
  2. 6 x (-3) ÷ (-9)
    • Again, start with the first two numbers, 6 x (-3) = -18
    • Now divide, -18 ÷ (-9) = 26 x (-3) ÷ (-9) = 2
  3. -40 ÷ (-4) x 3 ÷ 15
    • Start with -40 ÷ (-4) = 10
    • Plug in that answer: 10 x 3 ÷ 15
    • Keep working two numbers at a time…
    • 10 x 3 = 30
    • Finally divide, 30 ÷ 15 = 2
    • -40 ÷ (-4) x 3 ÷ 15 = 2