Product of two negative numbers

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 21 of 25 on Mathematics. ACS element AM.I.H.K12 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONThe product of two negative numbers is

Aalways positive
Balways negative
Cpositive or negative, depending on the values

Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. always positive

A — correct The product of two negative numbers is always positive; for example, −3 × −6 = 18.
B — incorrect The product is negative only when one factor is positive and the other negative, such as −3 × 6 = −18.
C — incorrect That description applies to the sum of a positive and a negative number, not to a product of two negatives.

BACKGROUND

Positive numbers are greater than zero and negative numbers are less than zero; signed numbers are also called integers. For multiplication, the product of two positive numbers is always positive, the product of two negative numbers is always positive, and the product of a positive and a negative number is always negative. The handbook examples are 3 × 6 = 18, −3 × 6 = −18, −3 × −6 = 18 and 3 × −6 = −18. Division follows the same sign rules.

STUDY TIP

Like signs give a positive product or quotient; unlike signs give a negative one.

KEY POINTS

Negative × negative = positive.
Positive × negative = negative.
Division of signed numbers follows the same sign rules.

SOURCES

FAA-H-8083-30B ch03 "Multiplication of Positive & Negative Numbers"

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