Intermediate Algebra (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321969359
ISBN 13: 978-0-32196-935-4

Chapter R - Section R.2 - Operations on Real Numbers - R.2 Exercises - Page 20: 55

Answer

True for multiplication and division. Sometimes true for subtraction. Not true for addition. A more precise statement would be: "The multiplication or division of two negative numbers gives a positive result."

Work Step by Step

The statement, "Two negatives give a positive" is true for multiplication and division: $(-x)*(-y)=+xy$ $\displaystyle \frac{-x}{-y}=+\frac{x}{y}$ However, the statement is not true for addition and only sometimes true for subtraction: $(-x)+(-y)=-(x+y)$ $(-x)-(-y)=-x+y=y-x$ (positive if $y\gt x$, but negative if $y\lt x$) A more precise statement would be: "The multiplication or division of two negative numbers gives a positive result."
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