Determine the sign of each product or quotient: (5 points)

Positive Negative
−13×(−56)

-25.6 x 13.2

52 ÷
13

-0.5 ÷
(0.1)

-5 (-3) x 7

1 answer

To determine the sign of each product or quotient, we'll apply the rule that a product or quotient is positive if it contains an even number of negative factors and negative if it contains an odd number of negative factors.

  1. −13 × (−56): Both numbers are negative. The product of two negative numbers is positive.

    • Sign: Positive
  2. -25.6 x 13.2: One number is negative and the other is positive. The product of one negative and one positive number is negative.

    • Sign: Negative
  3. 52 ÷ 13: Both numbers are positive. The quotient of two positive numbers is positive.

    • Sign: Positive
  4. -0.5 ÷ (0.1): One number is negative and the other is positive. The quotient of one negative and one positive number is negative.

    • Sign: Negative
  5. -5 (-3) x 7: Here, we have two negative numbers (-5 and -3) and one positive number (7). The product of two negative numbers is positive, and then multiplying that result by a positive number is still positive.

    • Sign: Positive

Here’s a summary of the signs:

  1. Positive
  2. Negative
  3. Positive
  4. Negative
  5. Positive