1.02.04 Multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers.

These are fairly simple calculations to deal with. To find the answer, first you simply multiply or divide the numbers as normal, ignoring their signs. Then to decide whether the answer is positive or negative:

if there is an odd number of negative numbers in the calculation, the answer will be negative.
if there is an even number of negative numbers in the calculation, the answer will be positive.

Examples.

2 x (-3) x (-2) x 4 = ?
2 x 3 x 2 x 4 = 48 .
two negative numbers therefore answer is positive.
2 x (-3) x (-2) x 4 = 48 .

(-2) x (-3) x (-2) x 4 = ?
2 x 3 x 2 x 4 = 48 .
three negative numbers therefore answer is negative.
(-2) x (-3) x (-2) x 4 = -48 .

(-2) x (-3) x (-2) x (-4) = ?
2 x 3 x 2 x 4 = 48 .
four negative numbers therefore answer is positive.
(-2) x (-3) x (-2) x (-4) = 48 .

(-8)/4 = ?
8/4 = 2 .
one negative number therefore answer is negative.
(-8)/4 = -2 .

(-8)/(-4) = ?
8/4 = 2 .
two negative numbers therefore answer is positive.
(-8)/(-4) = 2 .

(2 x (-3))/4 = ?
(2 x 3)/4 = 6/4 =1.5 .
one negative number therefore answer is negative.
(2 x (-3))/4 = -1.5 .

(2 x (-3))/(-4) = ?
(2 x 3)/4 = 6/4 =1.5 .
two negative numbers therefore answer is positive.
(2 x (-3))/(-4) = 1.5 .