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# Negative numbers: multiplication and division FAQ

## Why do we get a positive number when we multiply two negative numbers?

When we multiply or divide two negative numbers, the result is a positive number. This might seem strange at first, but it's important to remember that a negative sign in math is really just an instruction to change the direction of a number on a number line. So when we multiply or divide two negative numbers, we're reversing the direction twice, which brings us back to a positive number.
For example, we would show 3, times, 4 as 3 jumps, each 4 units long and to the right, because 4 is positive. We would start at 0, then reach 4, 8, and 12. So 3, times, 4, equals, 12.
For example, we would show 3, times, minus, 4 as 3 jumps, each 4 units long and to the left, because minus, 4 is negative. We would start at 0, then reach minus, 4, minus, 8, and minus, 12. So 3, times, minus, 4, equals, minus, 12.
When we multiply by a negative number, we go in the opposite direction than we normally would. So, we would show minus, 3, times, minus, 4 as 3 backwards jumps, each 4 units long. A regular jump of minus, 4 would go to the left, so a backward jump goes to the right. We would start at 0, then reach 4, 8, and 12. So minus, 3, times, minus, 4, equals, 12.
Try it yourself with our Multiplying negative numbers exercise.

## What's the deal with negative signs in fractions?

The same rules apply to fractions as they do to whole numbers. A negative sign before a fraction means the whole fraction is opposite of the value without the negative sign. But we can also have a negative sign in the numerator (top of the fraction) or denominator (bottom of the fraction). So is the fraction negative or positive when there is more than one negative sign?
Each negative sign before the fraction or in the numerator is the same as multiplying the fraction by minus, 1. For example, if we have the fraction minus, start fraction, minus, 3, divided by, 8, end fraction, that is the same as start fraction, 3, divided by, 8, end fraction multiplied by minus, 1 twice.
\begin{aligned} -\dfrac{-3}{8} &=\dfrac{3}{8} \cdot -1\cdot -1 \\\\ &=\dfrac{3}{8} \cdot 1\\\\ &=\dfrac{3}{8} \end{aligned}
If the negative sign is in the denominator, that is the same as dividing the fraction by minus, 1. For example, if we have the fraction start fraction, 9, divided by, minus, 7, end fraction, that is the same as start fraction, 9, divided by, 7, end fraction divided by minus, 1.
\begin{aligned} \dfrac{9}{-7} &= \dfrac{9}{7} \div -1\\\\ &= -\dfrac{9}{7} \end{aligned}
Try it yourself with our Negative signs in fractions exercise.

## Are there any special rules for order of operations with negative numbers?

There are not any special rules, but we do need to know where a couple more operations fit.
The negative sign is the same as multiplying the term by minus, 1, so it happens in the same stage as multiplication and division. For example, in the expression minus, 3, squared, we apply the exponent first, then the negative sign.
\begin{aligned} -3^2&=-1\cdot 3 \cdot 3\\\\ ^=-9 \end{aligned}
However, in the expression left parenthesis, minus, 3, right parenthesis, squared, the negative sign is inside the parentheses. So we apply the negative sign first, then the exponent.
\begin{aligned} (-3)^2&=-3 \cdot -3\\\\ &=9 \end{aligned}
We've also learned about absolute value. So first of all, the absolute value symbols are a grouping symbol. We perform the operations inside the absolute value symbol during the same stage as we evaluate work inside of parentheses.
Then, we actually apply the absolute value during the same stage as we apply exponents and roots. That is because vertical bar, x, vertical bar, equals, square root of, x, squared, end square root.
Let's try it all together. What is the value of 3, minus, 7, dot, vertical bar, 5, minus, 8, vertical bar, minus, 4, cubed?
\begin{aligned} 3-7\cdot |5-8|-4^3 &= 3-7\cdot |-3|+4 &\text{Grouping symbols}\\\\ &=3-7\cdot 3 -64 &\text{Exponents and absolute value}\\\\ &=3-21-64&\text{Multiplication}\\\\ &=-82&\text{Addition and subtraction} \end{aligned}

## Want to join the conversation?

• I am bamboozed
• Likewise
• What will you do if the question is confusing ? idk
• Think smart not hard :o
(1 vote)
• What if you don't get the question and after you watch the video you still don't get it.
• You have to use captions to know, watch the video few times an then you may know. Hope this helps!
• what is 0 on the number line positive or negative
• Zero is basically the middle point of the number line to seperate the negative numbers from the positive numbers. so zero is neither positive nor negative
• Do I need to have done the absolute value unit before this? will it be needed?
• bro ion understand this
• IfI times a positive with a negative it will alway be a negative? And if I times a negative with a negative will it always be positive?
• Thank you so much! This was very helpful.