Question

Which expression has a negative value?

7 + 3 (negative 4) (2)
Negative 2 Left-bracket 12 divided by (negative 3) Right-bracket
(15 minus 7) minus (9 divided by 3)
Negative 5 Left-bracket 7 + (negative 14) Right-bracket minus 30

Answer 1

First one

Explanation:

7 + 3 (negative 4) (2)

7 + 3(-4)(2)

7 - 24

= -17

Negative 2 Left-bracket 12 divided by (negative 3) Right-bracket

-2(12/-3)

-2 × -4

8

(15 minus 7) minus (9 divided by 3)

(15 - 7) - (9/3)

8 - 3

5

Negative 5 Left-bracket 7 + (negative 14) Right-bracket minus 30

-5(7 + -14) - 30

-5(-7) - 30

35 - 30

5

Answer 2

A: 7 + 3 (negative 4) (2)

Explanation:

Just as a rule of thumb, whenever you multiply or divide one negative number and one positive number, the outcome is always negative. However, whenever you multiply or divide two negative numbers OR two positive numbers, the outcome is always positive.

Now, let's first convert all these words into simple mathematical expressions and then solve them:

A) "7 + 3 (negative 4) (2)" = 7 + 3 * (-4) * 2 = 7 + (-24) = -17

B) "Negative 2 Left-bracket 12 divided by (negative 3) Right-bracket" =

-2 * [12/(-3)] = -2 * (-4) = 8

C) "(15 minus 7) minus (9 divided by 3)" = (15 - 7) - (9/3) = 8 - 3 = 5

D) "Negative 5 Left-bracket 7 + (negative 14) Right-bracket minus 30" =

-5 * [7 + (-14)] - 30 = -5 * (-7) - 30 = 35 - 30 = 5

The only expression that produces a negative value is the first one, A.

Hope this helps!