Rules of Positive and Negative Signs in Math

Practice vocabulary and fundamental rules for positive and negative integers in algebraic and arithmetic operations based on lecture notes.

Multiplication and Division Rule 1

Same signs are always positive. For example, $-12 - 2 = +8$.

Multiplication and Division Rule 2

Different signs are always negative.

Addition Rule 1

With same signs, add the numbers and keep the sign. For example, $-4 + -4 = -8$.

Addition Rule 2

Subtract the numbers and keep the sign of the larger number. For example, $6 + (-4)$ and $6 + 8 = -3$.

Algebraic Simplification

The process of expanding brackets and combining like terms, as shown in the expression $-2(4x - 7) + 4(x - 3) = -8x + 14 + 4x - 12 = -4x + 2$.