I think so. I understand subtraction but not addition, multiplication, or division.
Neha I have a problem. We learned about integers in school today but I have absolutely no idea what we learned.
Alright, let's start by telling you that0 is neither negative nor positive. Okay?
Of course you don’t remember. Did you learn all operations?
Can you please tell me that the sum of two negative integers is positive or negative?
Can you tell me more about this
Yes sure why not
The sum of two negative integers is always negative
Sounds simple enough, what about multiplying and dividing?
That’s Great! Now please teach me or I will fail
Slow down there, let me explain a problem to you. Let’s see, -5 + -6? -5 and -6 have the same sign, so the answer will be -11. Do you get it?
I will give you some key information and then help you with problems. When you are adding integers, if the numbers have the same signs then you keep that sign.
So I know that you multiply normally, but I don’t know what to do with the signs.
I think I do! Can we talk about multiplication and division now?
Okay so, in multiplication you multiply the numbers normally, but if they have the same signs the answer will be positive, and if they have different signs the answer is negative. Much simpler than addition and subtraction, right?
Sure! What do you know so far?
Yes! Multiplication seems pretty easy! What about division?
YES. Okay, so tell me if I’m wrong: -7 x -8 = 56 and -7 x 8 = -56?
Since you found multiplication simple, you’re in luck because division follows the exact same rules! Obviously you divide not multiply, but the rest is the same!
Yes, you got it right!
Yay! Wait, before you leave, let me know if I'm good with division and addition too: -9 / 3 = -3 and -8 + -9 = -17?
I think I’m ready, but yeah I want to review it tomorrow too. Thank you so much for the help Neha, you are a great friend!
Precisely. Do you think you are ready for school tomorrow? You can review this with me before class if you want to.