The Four Operations with Negative Numbers

Prior Knowledge:
Be able to perform the four operations with positive numbers.

A negative number is less than zero. A negative number is written with a minus sign in front.

The four operations are addition (+), subtraction (–), multiplication (×) and division (÷).

When adding and subtracting negative numbers, it may help to have a number line.

-15 -14 -13 -12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Addition and Subtraction

Example 1 Example 2
Calculate -3 – 5.
Calculate -6 + 4.

Find the starting number. -3.

Find the starting number. -6

Look at the sign immediately to the right of this

Now, look at the sign immediately to the right
number: –
of this number. This tells you whether to move
This tells you to move down (left) along the
right or left from your starting number; + tells
number line.
you to go right, up the number line, and – tells
you to move down, to the left.
5 tells you that this will be 5 places.
In this question, you will move right (up the
-3 – 5 = -8
number line).

The second number tells you how many to

move up or down, which, in this case will be 4.

-6 + 4 = -2
Example 3 Example 4
Calculate -5 + -2.
Calculate -6 – -9.

+ – or – + are replaced by –.
This question has two signs next to each other;
when this happens, you can substitute the pair
-5 + -2 becomes -5 – 2.
for a single function to simplify the calculation.
++ or – – are replaced by +.
-5 – 2 = -7
+ – or – + are replaced by –.

So, -6 – -9 becomes -6 + 9.

Following the same steps as before gives you

an answer of 3.

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 The Four Operations with Negative Numbers

Multiplication and Division

The methods for multiplying and dividing negative numbers are completely different from those
for adding and subtracting.

Firstly, ignore any negative signs and complete the multiplication or division with positive numbers.

Once you have calculated the multiplication or division, now take note of the signs in the question.

If they are both negative or both positive, your answer will be positive.
If there is one of each, your answer will be negative.

Example 1 Example 2
Calculate -7 × 3. Calculate -45 ÷ -9.

Complete the multiplication with positive Complete the division with positive numbers.
numbers. 7 × 3 = 21 45 ÷ 9 = 5.

Now, look at the signs. There is a negative sign Now, look at the signs. Both signs are negative,
with 7 and there doesn’t appear to be anything so the answer will be positive.
with 3. (If there doesn’t appear to be a sign with
a number, the number is positive.)
-45 ÷ -9 = 5

We have one of each so the answer will be

negative.

-7 × 3 = -21

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 The Four Operations with Negative Numbers
Your Turn
1. Calculate the following:

a. 4 – 5 e. -4 + 3 i. -2 – -8 m. 11 – 20

   

b. 2 + -6 f. -7 + 11 j. 10 – -9 n. 43 – 56

   

c. 10 – 12 g. -4 + -8 k. -2 – -16 o. -21 + -15

   

d. -10 + 2 h. -2 + -3 l. 7 – -4

  

2. Calculate the following:

a. 4 × -2 f. -64 ÷ -4 k. -7 × -13 p. (-12)2

   

b. -11 × 12 g. -9 × -12 l. 12 ÷ -0.5 q. (-8)2

   

c. 10 × -8 h. 24 × -6 m. -1 ÷ -2 r. (-3)3

   

d. -18 ÷ -3 i. -120 ÷ 4 n. -146 × 6

  

e. -56 ÷ 7 j. 685 ÷ -5 o. -254 × -8

  

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 The Four Operations with Negative Numbers

3. Complete the table.

+ -2 -1 2 5 10

-6 -6 + 5 = -1

-10 -10 + -2 = -12

3 3+2=5

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4. Write down seven multiplications with an answer of -20.

Challenge

Below are five cards, each with a number written on it.

-4 2 -7 -3 1

a. Choose two suitable cards to make the calculation correct.

+ = -1

b. Choose two cards that will give the smallest possible answer.

+ =

c. Choose two cards that will give the greatest possible answer.

– =

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