# Having difficulties with signed numbers when it comes to multiplication, division, addition and subtraction. Is there a simpler way to remember how to use the signs in math problems?

Having difficulties with signed numbers when it comes to multiplication, division, addition and subtraction. Is there a simpler way to remember how to use the signs in math problems?
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Ayesha Gomez

Let two negative numbers be -a and -b. For example : -2 and -5.
Let us consider the rules for individual arithmatic operations:
$-a+\left(-b\right)$: negative
e.g, $-2+\left(-5\right)=-7$
Substraction of 2 negative numbers:
$\left(-a\right)-\left(-b\right)$ is negtive if $|a|>|b|$ and positive therwise.
e.g, $\left(-2\right)-\left(-5\right)=-2+5=3$ (positive) as $|-2|<|-5|$
Multiplication of 2 negative numbers:
$\left(-a\right)\cdot \left(-b\right)=ab$: positive
e.g., $\left(-2\right)\cdot \left(-5\right)=10$
Division of 2 negative numbers:
$-\frac{a}{-b}$: positive
e.g, $-\frac{2}{-5}=0.40$