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A4. Real numbers
Negative numbers backcontentsmore
Multiplying or dividing any number by a negative number changes the sign of that number.

5.1 × -3 = -15.3, 12.2 × -4 = -48.8, -2.3 × -7 = 16.1
12.6 ÷ -2 = -6.3, 14.7 ÷ -7 = -2.1, -24.8 ÷ -4 = 6.2

A positive number multiplied by a positive number always gives a positive answer. A negative number multiplied by a negative number always gives a positive answer too. This table summarises the sign in answers when multiplying or dividing by a positive or a negative number:
× ÷ + -
+ + -
- - +

Check your negative number arithmetic. Press the button to get started.

1. x =
2. ÷ =

1.
2.
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