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A negative and a negative can yield a positive result in some cases.

Subtraction

Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its negative value, which is positive. So if the subtracted number is larger in value, the answer will be positive.

(-4) - (-3) = (-4) + 3 = (-1) * the subtracted number was not large enough

(-4) - (-8) = (-4) + 8 = 4 *the subtracted number was large enough to yield a positive

Multiplication and Division

Whenever a negative number and a negative number are multiplied or divided, the negative signs "cancel out" and the result is positive.

(-2) x (-3) = 6

(-6) / (-3) = 2

A multiplication or division involving one negative and one positive will, however, have a negative result.

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Q: Why do negative and negative become positive?
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Continue Learning about Other Math

When you have a negative and positive in math does it become a negative?

It depends on what you do with the negative and positive. If you multiply or divide a positive number and a negative number, then the answer is negative. If you add or subtract a positive number and a negative number, the answer could be negative or positive depending on the numbers involved. If you put a negative sign in front of a positive number, the result is a negative number. If you put a positive sign in front of a negative number (like +(-7)), the result is still negative.


Is a positive plus a negative make a positive or a negative?

Positive + Negative = Negative Negative + Negative = Positive Positive + Positive = Positive Negative + Positive = Negative


If you square a negative number does it become a positive number?

Yes.


How is dividing integers similar to multiplying integers with the resulting sign?

The rules for the sign (positive or negative) of the result of a multiplication is the same as division. For multiplication: Positive * Positive --> Positive Positive * Negative --> Negative Negative * Positive --> Negative Negative * Negative --> Positive For division: Positive / Positive --> Positive Positive / Negative --> Negative Negative / Positive --> Negative Negative / Negative --> Positive


How are multiplying integers and dividing integers alike?

a negative x a negative= a positive, a positive x a positive= a positive, a negative x a positive= a negative, and a positive x a negative= a negative. Same thing with division. a negative divided by a negative= a positive, a positive divided by a positive= a positive, a negative divided by a positive= a negative, and a positive divided by a negative is a negative. U see?