Q. 1.36 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

For each of the following, indicate if the answer has a positive or negative sign: $\left(1.4\right)$

a. A negative number is subtracted from a positive number.

b. Two negative numbers are divided.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

a. The sign will be positive when a negative number is subtracted from a positive number.

b. The sign will be positive when two negative numbers are divided. 

Part (a) step 1: Given Information

We need to find the sign when a negative number is subtracted from a positive number. 

Part (a) step 2: Explanation

Now, subtracting a negative number, in essence, cancels out the negative sign, so the resulting number is positive, added to another positive number, then results in a positive total. For examples: $$\begin{gathered} 13-\left(-11\right) \\ =13+11 \\ =24 \end{gathered}$$

Part (b) step 1: Given Information

We need to find the sign when two negative numbers are divided.

Part (b) step 2: Explanation

The two numbers with the same sign multiplied or divided by each other result in a positive number, as the negative sign gets cancelled. For examples: $\frac{\left(-1\right)}{\left(-4\right)}=0.25$.