Rules for Operations with Negative Numbers

Rule for adding two positive numbers

Add the numbers as usual, and the result is positive.

Rule for adding a positive and a negative number

Subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger absolute value, and the result takes the sign of the larger number.

Rule for adding two negative numbers

Add their absolute values, and the result is negative.

Rule for subtracting a positive number from a negative number

Add the absolute values and keep the result negative.

Rule for subtracting a negative number from another negative number

Change the subtraction into addition by switching the sign of the number being subtracted, then follow addition rules.

Rule for multiplying two positive numbers

Multiply the numbers as usual, and the result is positive.

Rule for multiplying a positive number and a negative number

Multiply their absolute values, and the result is negative.

Rule for multiplying two negative numbers

Multiply their absolute values, and the result is positive.

Rule for dividing two numbers with the same sign

Divide their absolute values, and the result is positive.

Rule for dividing two numbers with different signs

Divide their absolute values, and the result is negative.