positive and negative rules for executing order of operations

Question

-2 x 4 = ?

-4 x 3 = ?

-2 divided by 6 = ?

 

Answer 1

-2x4 = (-1)(2)x(4) = (-1)(2x4) = -1x8 = -8 ; I used associative property

-4x3 = (-1)(4)x(3) = (-1)(4x3) = -1x12 = -12 ; associative property

-2/6 = (-1)(2/6) = (-1)(1/3) = -1/3 ; assiciative property

 

other example

-3x-6 = (-1)(3)x(-1)(6) = (-1)(-1)(3)(6) = (-1x-1)(3x6) =1(18) = 18

commutative property and associative property

 

Answer 2

Hi, Regina.

The order of operations remains the same for positive and negative numbers: Parentheses, Exponents, multiplication/division, and addition/subtraction.

When you multiply and divide postiive and negative numbers:

a positive times/divided by a positive gives a positive answer  
a positive times/divided by a negative gives a negative answer 
a negative times/divided by a negative gives a positive answer 

Another way to say it is that in multiplication and division, two of same signs gives a positive answer, two different signs give a negative answer. The multiplication or division part of it doesn't change.

So for your problems:

-2 x 4 = -8      (negative two times positive four = negative eight)

-4 x 3 = -12     (negative four times positive three = negative twelve)

-2 divided by 6 = -2/6 which reduces to -1/3

Hope this helps!