“Positive numbers” are real numbers greater than zero, and “Negative numbers” are real numbers less than zero.
Given a < b < 0 < c < d ,
• “a” and “b” are negative numbers.
• “c” and “d” are positive numbers.
• The sum of two positive numbers is positive (c + d > 0).
• The sum of two negative numbers is negative (a + b < 0).
• In subtraction, if the subtrahend is greater than the minuend, the result (difference) is positive; otherwise, it is negative.
Minuend – Subtrahend = Difference
• To sum two numbers with opposite signs, regardless of the sign, subtract the smaller number from the larger number, and assign the sign of the larger number to the result.
• The product (or division) of two numbers with the same sign is positive.
• The sum of two numbers with opposite signs can be negative, positive, or zero.
• The product (or division) of two numbers with opposite signs is negative.
• All powers of a positive number are positive.
• Odd powers of a negative number are negative, while even powers of a negative number are positive.