When I multiple two negative numbers together is my answer positive or negative?

My favourite way to remember whether my answer is positive or negative when I multiply two numbers is to think of the following:

a) If you multiply two numbers with the SAME sign (i.e. two positive numbers or two negative numbers) the result will be POSITIVE.

+  x  +  = +

-  x  -  =  +

b) If you multiple two numbers with OPPOSITE signs the result will be NEGATIVE. 

-  x  +  = +

+  x  -  =  + 

For example:

a)

6  x  2  = 12

-6  x -2  = 12

b)

-6  x  2  =  -12

6  x  -2  =  -12

Answered by Hannah S. Maths tutor

4040 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A rectangle has an area of 20cm^2. Its length and width are each enlarged by scale factor 3. What is the area of the enlarged rectangle?


What is a good way to remember the sine, cosine and tangent rules of a triangle?


The equation of line 1 is: 3y-5x+3=0. The equation of line 2 is : y= 5x/3+9. Check whether the 2 lines intercept.


Solve 67x – 5 = 12x + 13


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences