All PSAT Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : How To Multiply Negative Numbers
Given that are both integers,
, and
, which of the following is correct about the sign of the expression
?
The expression can be positive, negative, or zero.
The expression must be negative.
The expression must be positive.
The expression must be negative or zero.
The expression must be positive or zero.
The expression must be negative or zero.
If , then we know that
is any number between or equal to
and
. Therefore
must be a negative number.
Also, if , then we know that
is any number between or equal to
and
. Therefore
must be a negative number.
Now looking the expression we can find the sign of each component in the expression.
Since is negative, we know that a negative number minus another number is still a negative number.
Therefore, is a negative number.
Since is between or equal to
and
we can plug in these end values in to determine the sign of
.
Therefore, is either zero or a positive number.
Now to find the sign of the expression we look at the product of the two components. The product of a negative number and a positive number is a negative number; the product of a negative number and zero is zero. Therefore, the correct choice is that is negative or zero.
Example Question #232 : Arithmetic
Find the product.
When multiplying together two negatives, our value for the product become positive.
Example Question #11 : Negative Numbers
Find the product.
Since we have one positive and one negative multiple, the resulting product must be negative.
Example Question #12 : Negative Numbers
If x is a negative integer, what else must be a negative integer?
x – x
x²
x² – x
x – (–x)
x – (–x)
By choosing a random negative number, for example: –4, we can input the number into each choice and see if we come out with another negative number. When we put –4 in for x, we would have –4 – (–(–4)) or –4 – 4, which is –8. Plugging in the other options gives a positive answer. You can try other negative numbers, if needed, to confirm this still works.
Example Question #2 : Negative Numbers
–7 – 7= x
–7 – (–7) = y
what are x and y, respectively
x = –14, y = 14
x = 14, y = –14
x = –14, y = 0
y = 0, x = 14
x = 0, y = 0
x = –14, y = 0
x: –7 – 7= –7 + –7 = –14
y: –7 – (–7) = –7 + 7 = 0
when subtracting a negative number, turn it into an addition problem
Example Question #13 : Negative Numbers
2
13
16
15
5
16
Subtracting a negative number is just like adding its absolute value.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All PSAT Math Resources
