B-48 BASIC MATH TUTOR·

Negative Nu1nbers
On first hearing, the notion of a negative number seems a strange idea. After all, the
positive numbers we have been studying are used to count real things like marbles,
and rocks, and people. So what could a negative number do? Count negative
things., like negative rocks and negative people? This sounds a little too much like
Star Trek: "Aye, Captain, the anti-matter bubble burst!"
Numbers are just positions in a system:
O 1 2 3 4
1 1 1 1 1 ----

Each number is one greater than the number to its left and one less than the number
to its right. And there is no logical objection to continuing this line of numbers to the
left as well:
-5-4-3-2-1 O 2 3 4 5
---- 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ----

This is only a logical extension of the basic principie of the counting system that each
position ,is one more than the · position befo re it, and one less than the position after
it. The number -1 is just one less than zero. And the number -2 is just one less than
-1 and one more thari -3. The negative numbers plus whole numbers are called
integers. So the number line above shows the integer system. The integer system
consists of positive integers,. tero, an.d negative integers.
So the negative numbers on this number line don't refer to negative objects. The
minus sign indicates the direction in which the number system is moving with refer­
ence to zero. lf you move to the right, you are going in the positive direction; to the
left, in the negative direction .
. In fáct, there are everyday situations, such as games and banking, in which it is
quite natural to use negative numbers. In sorne games, you might score "minus
ten"; or if your checking account is overdrawn, you have a minus balance.

Operations
Negative numbers can be manipulated by the basic operations of addition, subtrac­
tion, multiplication, and division. To help explain these operations, we need to
introduce ,the concept of absolute value.
Absolute value just means the size of a number without regard to its sign. Abso­
lute value is like distance without regard to direction. Five miles in an easterly
direction and five miles in a westerly direction are both five miles, but they move in
different directions. So, too, -5 and + 5 are five units large, but one signifies a
change toward the negative, the other a change toward the positive. This idea of
value, without regard to direction, should help you understand the operations
with negat,ive numbers. (Note: The symbol for absolute value is "1 (x) 1 ," e.g.,
1 -10 1 = 10.)
 BASIC MATH TUTOR B-49

Additi()D

To add a negative númber to sorne other number, just subtract the absolute value of
the negative number.

EXAMPLES:
10 + (-4) = 10 - 4 = 6

The absolute value of -4 is 4, so just subtract 4 from 1 O. We can use our number line
to illustrate the logic of this.

-10 -5 O 5 10
(-) • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • (+)"
J. J.
'---y---J
4

You start at 1 O and move the counter four units-in a negative direction. The result
is 6.
You follow this procedure even if you wind up with a negative result:

1 O + (-12) = 10 - 12 = -2

-10 -5 o 5 10
•
(-) • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 r1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ·1 �+)
J. J.

12

You start at 1 O and move the counter 12 units in a negative direction. The result is
two units to the left of zero, or -2.
And the procedure works when you need to add a negative number to another
negative number:
-3 + -2 = -3 - 2 = -5

-1 O -5 O 5 10
(-) • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • ( +)
J. J.
�
2

You start off at -3, and you move the counter two units-in a negative direction. The
result is -5.
B-50 BASICMATHTUTOR ·

f Subtraction J

$ubtraction of negative numbers is a little different. When ·you subtract something

you are taking it away, so when you subtract a negative number, you are really
adding. This is like a double negative. "lt is nót the case that John is nota student"
means that John is a student.
To subtract a. negative number from another quantity, add the absolute value of
the negative number to the other quantity.

EXAMPLES:
10 - _(-5) = 1 O + 5 = 15

o
• •
-1 5 -10 -5 5 10 15
(-) • 1 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 • (+)
'-v-'
5

You startat 1 O, and since you are "eliminating �inus points," you move the counter
in a positive direction.
Follow this procedure no matter where you start-even i( you are subtracting a
negative number from zero or from another negative number:

-5 - (-10) = -5 + 10 = 5_

-1 5 :...1 0 -5 o 5· 10 15
( +)
(-) • 1 1 1.(1 1 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 •
! •
10

You start at - 5. Since you are "eliminating mirzus points," you move the counter in
a positive direction.

EXAMPLES:
5 + (-2) = 3
7 + (-7) = O
4 - (-4) = 4 + 4 = 8
O - (-7) = O+ 7 = 7
-8 - (-4) = -8 + 4 = -4
 BASICMATHTUTOR B-51 ·

Multiplication

We can also explain the rules for multiplying negative numbers through the concept
of absolute value. To multiply a positive number by a negative number, you multiply
the absolute values of the two numbers (just as if they were positive), but the product
is a negative number.

EXAMPLES:
3 X -6 = -18
-2 X 4 = -8

In both examples, the final result is the procluct of the absolute values of the two
numbers, 3 x 6 = 18 and 2 x 4 = 8. But both results are negative. A way of
remembering this is to think that the minus sign has "tainted" the problem, so the
final result must be negative.
To multiply a negative number by a negative number, you multiply the absolute
values of the numbers, but the final result is positive.
-3 X -6 = 18
-1 X -4 = 4

In both examples, the result is the product of the absolute values of the two number s,
3 x 6 = 18 and 1 x 4 = 4. But both results are positive. This is somewhat like
saying two wrongs do make a right-a negative times a negative produces a positive.
And if you multiply more than two numbers, the result "toggles" back and forth
between positive and negative, like an on/off switch. In multiplication, three nega­
tives produce a negative number, four a positive number, five a negative number, six
a positive number, and so on.

EXAMPLES:
-1 X -1 = 1
-1 X -1 X -1 = -1
-1 X -1 x.-1 X -1 = 1
-1 X -1 X -1 X -1 X -1 = -1
-1 X -1 X -1 X -1 X -1 X -1 = 1
B-52 BASIC MATH TUTOR

Division

Division is the reverse of multiplication, so the same rules apply. To divide a positive
number by a negative number or to divide a negative number by a positive number,
you divide using absolute values, and the result of the final sign is negat_ive.

EXAMPLES:
6 + -3 = -2
-8 + 2 = -4

In both examples, we divided using absolute values: 6 + 3 = 2 and 8 + 2 = 4; and

in both cases, the sign of the final result is negative .
To divide a negative number by another negative number, you divide using abso-
lute values, but the final sign is positive.

EXAMPLE:
-8 + -4 = 2

Dividing by using the absolute values of -8' and -2, you get 8 + 4, which is 2, and
in this case the "double negativé' gives a positive sign to the final result.
These are the rules that govern all operations with_ signed numbers. But you
must be careful how you apply them to more complicated problems:

(2 X -3) - (-2 + -12)

(-8 + 2). X (2 + -4)

Just take the prc:iblem step. by step:

_(2_x_-_3_)_-_(-_ 2_+_-_1_2) = (-6) - (- 14) = �
= 1
(-8 + 2) X (2 + -4) (-4) X (-2) 8

Since operations with negative numbers depend a lot on how many negative signs
appear in a problem, this feature of negative numbers provides fertile ground for the
cultivation of test questions. Remember the following principies:

AODITION OF A NEGATIVE NUMBER IS EQUIVALENT TO SUBTRACTION.

SUBTRACTION OF A NEGATIVE NUMBER IS EQUIVALENT TO ADDITION.
POSITIVE x POSITIVE = POSITIVE
POSITIVE x NEGATIVE = NEGATIVE
NEGATIVE x POSITIVE = NEGATIVE
NEGATIVE x NEGATIVE = POSITIVE
NEGATIVE x NEGATIVE x NEGATIVE = NEGATIVE
NEGATIVE x NEGATIVE x NEGATIVE x NEGATIVE = POSITIVE

(And so on.)
 BASICMATHTUTOR B-53

EXERCISE 5
Negative Numbers

Questions 1-15
The following questions •1se a number line anda counter, as shown below. For each
question, select the letter of the correct position for the counter after the indicated
operations.

EXAMPLE:
2+3=
-5 O 5
(-) • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • (+)
'/J. '/J. ! '/J. '/J. '/J.
(A) (B) (C)(D) (E)

The correct choice is (D). The original position of the counter is 2. lf you move it
three units in the positive direction, the final result is 5.

1. 3 + 1 =

-5 o 5
(.:..) ·' 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ' (+)
'/J. '/J. '/J. .&
(A) (B) (C)(D) (E)

2. 5 - 2 =

.
2 '\
-5 o 5
(-) .i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ' (+)
'/J. '/J. '/J. '/J. .&
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
B-54 BÁSICMATHTUTOR

3. 5 + (-2) =

-5 O 5
. (-) • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • (+)
A A A t:, , A
(AXB) (C) (D) (E)

4. 3 +2 + (-7) =

-5 O 5
(-) • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • (+)
!:.A t;. A t;.
(AXB) (C) t (E)
( )

5. 2 + (-4) =

-5 O 5
(-) • 1 1 1 1 1 . 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 " (+)
!:, !:, D.' ! D. 6
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

6. -2 + -2 =

-5 O 5
(-) • 1 . 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • (+)
D.· ·A 6 6 t;. 6
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

7. 4 + -2 + -2 =

-5 O 5
(-) • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1. l. 1 1 1 1 1 1 " (+)·.
t;. t:, 6 t;. A
(A) (B) (C) (D) 6
(E)

8. -4 + -1 + -1

(-) . -5
D. A !:,
O
t;. 6
5
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • (+)

(A) � (C) (D) (E)

( )
 B ASIC MATH TUTOR B-'55 ·,:··,;;

9. -4 + 8 =

o
'
-5 5
I -ll-+1-+-+-1
•-+1-+-+-1
. (-) ... I -tlr-tl--+I --t-1 -!Ir-+-• (+)
I -+1-+-+I
6. 6. 6. 6.
6. (B) (C) (D) (E)
(A)

10. -2 + 2 + -1 =

-5 o 5
(-). 1 1 1 1 1 : 1 1 : 1 1 1 1 1 1 .. (+)'
6. 6. i. 6. 6.
(A)(B)fi. (D) (E)
(C)

11. 2-(-1)=

(-) . -5 o
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - (+)
6. 6. 6. J. 6.
5

(AXBXC) E)
(t/

12. 5 - (-2) =

(-) . -5 o
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
6. 6. 6. 6. '
5
• (+)

(A) (B) (C) 6. (E)

(D)

13. O - (-4) =

-5 O 5
I -+1-+I -+I -tlr-tl--+I --t-1 -!Ir-+-• (+)
•-+1-+I-+-1 -ll-+1-+-+-1
. (-) ...
6. ' 6. 6. 6.
(A) ti. (C) (D) (E)
(B)

14. -2 - (-1) =

-5 O
(-) • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • (+)
6. ' 6. 6. t.
(A) t:.(CXD) (E)
(B)

15. -3 - (-1) - (-2) =

-5 O 5
(-) • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • (+)
t:. t:.!6. ti. ti.
(A)(B) (C) (D)(E}
B-56 BASIC MATH TUTOR

Questions 16�60
16. 5 + 8 +(-2)+(-1)=
(A) 3 (8) 7 (C) 10 (D) 13 (E) 23
17. 12-7+6+-1=
(A) 2 (8) 6 (C) JO (D) 14 (E) 18
18. 3 +-3 =
(A) -6 (B) -3· (C) O- (D) 3 (E) 6

19. O+-12 =
(A) -12 (B) -6 (C) -1 (D) O (E) 12
20. -3 + 1=
(A) -4 (8) -2 (C) 2 (D) 4 (E) 8
·.- -
21. -2 + �6=
(A) -8 (8) -4 (C) -2 (O) 2 (E) 4
22. -2 +-3 +-4 =
(A) -24 (8) -9 (C) -6 (D) O (E) 6

23. 100 +(-99)=

(A) -199 (8) -99 (C) -1 (D) 1 · (E) 99
24. 14 - (-2) =
(A) 16 (8) 12 (C) 4 (D) -2 (E) -14
25. 2 - (-5) =
(A) 7 (8) 3 (C) -2 . (D) -3 (E) -7
26. O - (-4) =
(A) -8 (8) -4 (C) O (D) 4 (E). -4
27. -2 -(-3) =
(A) -6 (8) -5 (C) -1 (D) 1 (E) 3
28. -5 -(-1)- 1=
(A) -7 (8) -5 (C) -3 (D) -1 (E) 2
29. (5 - 1)+(1 - 5)=
(A) -5 (8) -3 (C) o (D) 3 (E) 5
--
30. (2 - (-6)) - (-2 + (-])) =
(A) -2 (8) -1 (C) 1 (D) 5 (E) 11
31. 1 X -2 =
1
(A) -2 (8) -1 (C) (D) 1 (E) 2
2
32. -2 X 1 =
(A) 2 (8) 1 (C) � (D) -1 (E) -2
2
33. -8 X 6=
(A) -48 (8) -2 (C) 2 (D) 14 (E) 48
34. -2 X -3=
(A) -6 (B) -5 (C) -1 (D) 6 (E) 12
35. -,OX -10=
(A) -100 (8) -20 (C) O (D) 20 (E) 100
 BASIC MATH TUTOR B-37

36. -2 X -1 X 1 =
(A) -3 (B) - 2 (C) 1 (D) 2 (E) 4

37. -10 X -10 X -10 =

(A) -1,000 (B) -30 (C) -1 (D) 1 (E) 1,000
38. -2 X -2 X -2 X -2 =
(A) -32 (B) -8 (C) 4 (D) 16 (E) 32
39. -1 X -1 X -1 X -1 X -1 X -1 X -1 X -1 X -1 X -1 =
(A) -10 (B) . -1 (C) O (D) 1 (E) 1O
40. 4 + -2 =
(A) -8 (B) -2 (C) - � (D) 2 (E) 8

41. 16+ -1 =
(A) -16 (B) -1 (C) 1 (D) 8 (E) 16
42. -12 + 4 =
(A) -4 (B) -3 (C) -2 (D) 3 (E) 4
43. -12+ -12 =
(A) -144 (B) -1 (C) 1 (D) 24 (E) 144
44. (7 - -6) + 3(2 - 4) =
(A) -2 (B) O (C) 7 (D) 12 (E) 23
45. (2 X -3)(1 X -4)(� X -1) =
(A) -48 (8) -16 (C) 2 (D) 28 (E) 56
46. (6 X -2) + (3 X -4) =
(A) -12 (B) -1 (C) 1 (D) 3 (E) 24
47. (4 - -3 -+- 7.,.: -})(-3 - -2) =
(A) -25 (B) -15 (C) .-7 (D) -1 (E) 8

48. [(2 X -1) + (4 + -2)] X Í(-6 .+ 6) - (2 - 3)) =

(A) 5 (B) 2 (C) -2 (D) -4 (E) -23
49. (2 - 3)(3 - 2)(4 - 3)(3 - 4)(5 - 4)(4 - 5) =
(A) -625 (8) -1 (C) 1 (D) 50 (E) 625"-

50. (2 X (3 - 4)] + [(125+ -25) X (1 X -2)) =

(A) -12 (8) -8 (C) 2 (D) 8 (E) 125
1 1 1
51. - X 2 X - X 2 X - X 2 =
2 2 2
(A) -16 (8) -8 (C)-1 (D) 1 (E) 2
1
52. [(2 X 3)+ (-6 X 1)] X ((21 -:- 7) X J =
3
(A) -5 (B) -1 (C) 1 (D) 12 (E) 36

53. (-5 X -2) - (-2 X -5) =

(A) O (B). 2 (C) 10 (D) 12 (E) 18
54. 6 + -3
1
=

(A) - 18 (B) (C) 2 (D) 3 (E) 18

2
55. (-3 - -3) - (-2 - -2) - (-1 - -1) =
(A) -12 (8) -6 (C) O (D) 6 (E) 12
B-58 BASIC MATH TUTOR

56. lf n is any negative number, which of the following must also be negative?
l. n + n
11. n x n
111. n - n
(A) 1 only (B) JI only (C) 1 and 111 only
(D) 11 and 111 only (E) 1, 11, and 111

57. lf n is any negative number, which of the following must also be negative?
l. n x -n
11. -n x -n
111. -n + n
(A) 1 only (B) JI only (C) 111 only
(D) 11 and 111 only (E) 1, 11, and 111.

58. lf n is any positive number, which of the following must be negative?

J. n x -n
JI. n ..;.. -n
111. n - (-n)
(A) 1 only (B) JI only (C) 1 and II only
(D) 1 and 111 only (E) 1, 11, and 111
59. lf n is any positive number, which of the following must be positive?
l. -n - (-n)
11. -n x -n
111. n ..;.. (-n x -n)
(A) 1 only (B) JI only (C) 111 only
(D) 1 and 111 only (E) JI and 111 only
60. Given any m,mber such that n � O, which of the following must be equal to O? ·
l. -n x -n x -n x -n x -n x -n
11. [(n - n) - n] - [(n - n) - ni
111. n ..;.. [(n ..;.. n) ..;.. n]
(A) 1 only (B) 11 only (C) 1 and JI only
(D) 1 and 111 only (E) 1, 11, arid 111