SOLUTION: What are the rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers. It's been 30 years since I've had algebra and can't remember.

Q:
What are the rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers. It's been 30 years since I've had algebra and can't remember. 
Thank you
A:
What are the rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers. 
:
Don't think of it as adding and subtracting signed numbers, think of it as combining numbers. That way there are only two rules to remember:
1. If the signs are the same, add the numbers and keep the sign:
Ex. -2-3=-5 and 2+3=5
2. If the signs are different, subtract the smaller from the bigger and keep the sign of the biggest number:
Ex. -2+3=1 and 2-3=-1
:
When multiplying and dividing, there are two rules:
1. If the signs are the same, multiply or divide as usual and the answer is positive:
Ex. (-2)*(-3)=6 and (2)(3)=6
-6/-3=2 and 6/3=2
2. If the signs are different, multiply or divide as usual and the answer is negative:
Ex. (2)*(-3)=-6 and (-2)*(3)=-6
6/-3=-2 and -6/3=-2
Hope that helps!!!
Happy Calculating!!!
Category:Adding
Category:Subtracting
Category:Multiplying
Category:Dividing
Category:QandA