Division of Signed Numbers
The sign of the quotient of two numbers depends on their signs.
Same signs |
Quotient |
•Two positives
•Two negatives |
Positive
Positive |
Different signs |
Quotient |
•Positive & negative
•Negative & positive |
Negative
Negative |
Remember, you can always check the answer to a division problem by multiplying.
example
Divide each of the following:
- −27÷3
- −100÷(−4)
Solution
1. |
|
|
−27÷3 |
Divide, noting that the signs are different and so the quotient is negative. |
−9 |
2. |
|
|
−100÷(−4) |
Divide, noting that the signs are the same and so the quotient is positive. |
25 |
example
Divide each of the following:
- 16÷(−1)
- −20÷(−1)
Answer:
Solution
1. |
|
|
16÷(−1) |
The dividend, 16, is being divided by –1. |
−16 |
Dividing a number by –1 gives its opposite. |
|
Notice that the signs were different, so the result was negative. |
|
2. |
|
|
−20÷(−1) |
The dividend, –20, is being divided by –1. |
20 |
Dividing a number by –1 gives its opposite. |
|
Notice that the signs were the same, so the quotient was positive.