Multiply & Divide Integers Fact Sheet

A positive integer times a negative integer: A negative times a negative.

Think of repeated addition here: 3 × (−2) = (−3) × 3 = Complete the pattern on the
(−3) × 2 = left. Observe how the products
and and (−3) × 1 = continually increase by 3 in
(−3) × 0 = each step.
(−2) + (−2) + (−2) = −6. (−3) × (−1) =
(−3) × (−2) = It follows that the negative
Or, 4 × (−7) = (−7) + (−7) + (−7) + (−7) = −28.
(−3) × (−3) = times negative products in the
(−3) × (−4) = pattern must be positive.
A positive integer times a negative integer:
Another 'justification' for this rule can be seen
Since you can change the order of the factors, using distributive property:
(−6) × 4 = 4 × (−6) = −24.
Distributive property of arithmetic states that
In general, if m and n are natural numbers, then a(b + c) = ab + ac.
m × (−n) is (−n) added repeatedly m times, so is
negative. And (−m) × n is the same as n × (−m) So, if a = (−1), b = 3, and c = (−3), it should still
and so is negative as well. hold:
× (−1)(3 + (−3)) = (−1)(3) + (−1)(−3)
both have a negative answer
× Now, since 3 + (−3) is zero, the whole left side
is zero. So (−1)(3) + (−1)(−3) must be zero as
well.
Dividing a negative integer by a positive.
Divide these negatives into (−1)(3) is −3. So it follows that (−1)(−3) has to
three equal groups. be the opposite of −3, or 3.

(−6) ÷ 3 = −2. The 'negative times negative makes positive'

rule has to do with the fact that IF we made it to
Dividing a positive integer by a negative. be negative, then all these neat rules and
What is (−15) ÷ 5 ? Let's call the answer Z. properties of arithmetic wouldn't hold for
Since division and multiplication are opposite negative numbers.
operations, Z × 5 = −15. So Z must be −3. But mathematicians do want them to hold, since
In general, if m and n are natural numbers, and we DO want mathematics to be a very
(−m) ÷ n is B, then B × n = (−m), and B must be consistent system. So the convention is made
negative. that negative times negative is positive.

Dividing a negative integer by a negative. In a nutshell, whether you multiply or divide:

Let's say (−21) ÷ (−7) is some number A. ×

÷ (different signs)
It follows that A × (−7) = (−21) × yields a negative answer
÷
Knowing the multiplication rules,
the only number that fits A is 3. ×
In general, if m and n are natural numbers, and ÷ (same kind of signs)
(−m) ÷ (−n) is B, then B × (−n) = (−m), × yields a positive answer
and B must be positive. ÷

Copyright © 2006 Maria Miller

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