1.1.4 Negative Numbers

• Negative numbers are any number less than zero
• They appear in lots of places from numerical calculations to algebra 
• You might come across them in real-life problems such as temperature or debt

What are the rules for working with Negative Numbers?

• For all four operations, you can remember some rules to help
  • Same sign makes a positive
  • Different sign makes a negative

• When adding and subtracting with negative numbers
  • Two negatives make a positive e.g. 
  • A negative and a positive make a negative e.g. 
• When multiplying or dividing with negative numbers
  • Two negatives make a positive e.g.
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  • A negative and a positive make a negative e.g. 
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• For multiplication and division, it's often easier to calculate ignoring any signs, then making a decision about whether the answer should be positive or negative

Exam Tip