Sign Rules for Multiplication and Division · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Sign Rules for Multiplication and Division

Mathematics · Multiplication & Division · ages 11-13
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. What is 36 divided by (-9)?

    Answer: ______________

  2. What is (-3) x 4?

    • -12
    • 12
    • -7
    • 7

  3. What is (-20) divided by 4?

    • -5
    • 5
    • -24
    • 24

  4. What is the sign of the product when you multiply a positive number and a negative number?

    • Positive
    • Negative
    • Zero

  5. What is (-48) divided by (-6)?

    Answer: ______________

  6. It is 2 degrees. The temperature falls 3 degrees each hour for 5 hours. What is the final temperature?

    • -13 degrees
    • 13 degrees
    • -17 degrees
    • 17 degrees

  7. Work out (-2) x 3 x (-4) step by step.

    Answer: ______________

  8. Which expression equals a positive number?

    • −6 × 2
    • −6 × −2
    • 6 × −2

  9. A submarine starts at the surface, 0 meters. It dives 6 meters every minute for 4 minutes, then rises 9 meters. Using negative numbers for below the surface, what is its depth now, in meters?

    Answer: ______________

  10. Priya says, '−8 ÷ −2 = −4, because dividing negatives always gives a negative answer.' What is wrong with her thinking?

    • She should have multiplied instead of dividing
    • Nothing, she is right
    • Same signs give a positive answer, so −8 ÷ −2 = 4
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Sign Rules for Multiplication and Division W1-mt_rxInpOQ74w-s1

  1. -4 · Positive split by negative is negative: 36 / 9 = 4, so -4.
  2. -12 · Different signs give a negative: 3 x 4 = 12, so -12.
  3. -5 · Different signs give a negative: 20 / 4 = 5, so -5.
  4. Negative · A positive and a negative are different signs, so the product is negative.
  5. 8 · Same signs give a positive: 48 / 6 = 8.
  6. -13 degrees · 5 hours of -3 degrees is -15, and 2 - 15 = -13 degrees.
  7. 24 · (-2) x 3 = -6, and (-6) x (-4) = 24.
  8. −6 × −2 · −6 × −2 has two negative numbers, the same sign, so the product is positive: 12.
  9. -15 · Diving means negative: −6 × 4 = −24 meters. Rising 9 meters adds back: −24 + 9 = −15, so the submarine is 15 meters below the surface.
  10. Same signs give a positive answer, so −8 ÷ −2 = 4 · Both numbers are negative, the same sign, so the answer is positive: −8 ÷ −2 = 4, not −4.
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