When a positive integer (the dividend) is divided by a negative integer (the divisor), the quotient will always be negative.
To clarify using your options:
- A: The statement regarding the sum of the dividend and divisor does not affect the sign of the quotient when dividing a positive by a negative. The quotient will still be negative regardless of their sum.
- B: This would imply that the quotient is always positive, which is incorrect.
- C: This indicates that the quotient is always negative, which is correct.
- D: The sign of the quotient does not depend on the sum but is still negative.
Therefore, the correct answer is C: always negative.