7th grade · Math · Unit 13 of 17
Multiply & Divide Signed Numbers
Sign rules
What your child practices
Multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers (including fractions), using the sign rules, and real-world changes such as falling temperatures.
Maine Learning Results learning standard: 7.NS.A.2 · multiplying and dividing rational numbers, including negative numbers
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Multiply or divide the numbers as usual.
- Same signs give a positive answer.
- Different signs give a negative answer.
Example: What is −6 × 4? 6 × 4 = 24. Different signs: negative. Answer: −24
Multiply & Divide Signed Numbers in Maine
In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 13 of 17 in 7th grade Math, after Mean, Median & Mode and before Proportional Relationships.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Source: Maine Department of Education
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
The temperature falls 5 degrees every hour for 7 hours. What is the total change in temperature, in degrees? (Use a negative number for a fall.)
answer box
-35
Hint: 7 × (−5) = −35.
Question 2
What is 7 × (−11)?
7 × (−11) = ?
answer box
-77
Hint: Multiply the sizes, then use the sign rule: same signs positive, different signs negative.
Question 3
Without multiplying: is 5 × 1 × 6 positive or negative?
- Negative
- Positive
Positive
Hint: Count the negative factors. An even number of them gives a positive product; an odd number gives a negative one.
Question 4
A change of −$16 is shared equally by 4 friends. What is each friend's change, in dollars?
answer box
-4
Hint: −16 ÷ 4 = −4.
Question 5
What is 8 ÷ (−2)?
8 ÷ (−2) = ?
answer box
-4
Hint: Divide the sizes, then use the sign rule: same signs positive, different signs negative.
Question 6
What is −1/5 × 5?
- 1
- -1
- -25
- -4
-1
Hint: 5 ÷ 5 = 1. One factor is negative, so the answer is negative.