<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Division follows the same rules as multiplication!

For division of two signed numbers, when the:

  • signs are the same , the quotient is positive .
  • signs are different , the quotient is negative .

And remember that we can always check the answer of a division problem by multiplying.

Multiplication and division of signed numbers

For multiplication and division of two signed numbers:

  • If the signs are the same, the result is positive.
  • If the signs are different, the result is negative.
Same signs Result
Two positives
Two negatives
Positive
Positive
If the signs are the same, the result is positive.
Different signs Result
Positive and negative
Negative and positive
Negative
Negative
If the signs are different, the result is negative.

Divide: −27 ÷ 3 −100 ÷ ( −4 ) .

Solution


  1. 27 ÷ 3 Divide, with different signs, the quotient is negative. 9


  2. 100 ÷ ( −4 ) Divide, with signs that are the same the quotient is positive. 25
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Divide: −42 ÷ 6 −117 ÷ ( −3 ) .

−7 39

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Divide: −63 ÷ 7 −115 ÷ ( −5 ) .

−9 23

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify expressions with integers

What happens when there are more than two numbers in an expression? The order of operations still applies when negatives are included. Remember My Dear Aunt Sally?

Let’s try some examples. We’ll simplify expressions that use all four operations with integers—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Remember to follow the order of operations.

Simplify: 7 ( −2 ) + 4 ( −7 ) 6 .

Solution

7 ( −2 ) + 4 ( −7 ) 6 Multiply first. −14 + ( −28 ) 6 Add. −42 6 Subtract. −48

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 8 ( −3 ) + 5 ( −7 ) 4 .

−63

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 9 ( −3 ) + 7 ( −8 ) 1 .

−84

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: ( −2 ) 4 2 4 .

Solution


  1. ( −2 ) 4 Write in expanded form. ( −2 ) ( −2 ) ( −2 ) ( −2 ) Multiply. 4 ( −2 ) ( −2 ) Multiply. −8 ( −2 ) Multiply. 16


  2. 2 4 Write in expanded form. We are asked to find the opposite of 2 4 . ( 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 ) Multiply. ( 4 · 2 · 2 ) Multiply. ( 8 · 2 ) Multiply. −16

Notice the difference in parts and . In part , the exponent means to raise what is in the parentheses, the ( −2 ) to the 4 th power. In part , the exponent means to raise just the 2 to the 4 th power and then take the opposite.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: ( −3 ) 4 3 4 .

81 −81

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: ( −7 ) 2 7 2 .

49 −49

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

The next example reminds us to simplify inside parentheses first.

Simplify: 12 3 ( 9 12 ) .

Solution

12 3 ( 9 12 ) Subtract in parentheses first. 12 3 ( −3 ) Multiply. 12 ( −9 ) Subtract. 21

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 17 4 ( 8 11 ) .

29

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 16 6 ( 7 13 ) .

52

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 8 ( −9 ) ÷ ( −2 ) 3 .

Solution

8 ( −9 ) ÷ ( −2 ) 3 Exponents first. 8 ( −9 ) ÷ ( −8 ) Multiply. −72 ÷ ( −8 ) Divide. 9

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 12 ( −9 ) ÷ ( −3 ) 3 .

4

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 18 ( −4 ) ÷ ( −2 ) 3 .

9

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: −30 ÷ 2 + ( −3 ) ( −7 ) .

Solution

−30 ÷ 2 + ( −3 ) ( −7 ) Multiply and divide left to right, so divide first. −15 + ( −3 ) ( −7 ) Multiply. −15 + 21 Add. 6

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: −27 ÷ 3 + ( −5 ) ( −6 ) .

21

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: −32 ÷ 4 + ( −2 ) ( −7 ) .

6

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Evaluate variable expressions with integers

Remember that to evaluate an expression means to substitute a number for the variable in the expression. Now we can use negative numbers as well as positive numbers.

When n = −5 , evaluate: n + 1 n + 1 .

Solution


.
. .
Simplify. −4


.
. .
Simplify. .
Add. 6

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

When n = −8 , evaluate n + 2 n + 2 .

−6 10

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

When y = −9 , evaluate y + 8 y + 8 .

−1 17

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Evaluate ( x + y ) 2 when x = −18 and y = 24 .

Solution

.
. .
Add inside parenthesis. (6) 2
Simplify. 36
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Evaluate ( x + y ) 2 when x = −15 and y = 29 .

196

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Evaluate ( x + y ) 3 when x = −8 and y = 10 .

8

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Evaluate 20 z when z = 12 and z = −12 .

Solution


.
. .
Subtract. 8



.
. .
Subtract. 32

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Elementary algebra. OpenStax CNX. Jan 18, 2017 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12116/1.2
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Elementary algebra' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask