Solve Division Problem: (-118) ÷ (-1) Step by Step

Q: Why does dividing two negative numbers give a positive answer?

Think of division as "how many times does the divisor go into the dividend?" When you ask "how many times does -1 go into -118?", the answer is +118 times because $ (-1) × (+118) = -118 $.

Q: What's the easiest way to remember the sign rules?

Use this simple rule: Same signs = positive, different signs = negative. Since both -118 and -1 are negative (same signs), the result is positive!

Q: Is (-118) ÷ (-1) the same as (-118) × (-1)?

No! Division and multiplication are different operations. $ (-118) ÷ (-1) = +118 $ but $ (-118) × (-1) = +118 $. They happen to give the same result here only because we're dividing by -1.

Q: How do I check if my division answer is correct?

Use multiplication to check division! Multiply your answer by the divisor. If you get the original dividend, you're correct: $ (+118) × (-1) = -118 $ ✓

Q: What happens when I divide any number by -1?

Dividing by -1 always gives you the opposite sign of the original number. So $ (-118) ÷ (-1) = +118 $ and $ (+118) ÷ (-1) = -118 $.

Integer Division with Negative Numbers

$(-118):(-1)=\text{ ?}$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:05 Let's solve this problem.

00:09 Remember, a negative number divided by another negative number, will always give you a positive result.

00:18 Also, any number divided by one, stays the same.

00:26 And that's how we find the solution to our question!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

$(-118):(-1)=\text{ ?}$

Step-by-step solution

Firstly we need to realise that since we are dividing two negative numbers, the result must be a positive number.

Let's rewrite the exercise in the form of a simple fraction:

$\frac{118}{1}=$

Remember the rule:

$\frac{x}{1}=x$

Any number we divide by 1 will be equal to itself, therefore:

$\frac{118}{1}=118$

Final Answer

$+118$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Sign Rule: Negative divided by negative equals positive
Technique: $(-118) ÷ (-1) = \frac{-118}{-1} = +118$
Check: Verify: $(+118) × (-1) = -118$ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Forgetting the sign rules for division
Don't assume dividing negative numbers always gives negative results = wrong answer like -118! This ignores fundamental sign rules. Always remember: negative ÷ negative = positive, so (-118) ÷ (-1) = +118.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

What will be the sign of the result of the next exercise?

$(-2)\cdot(-4)=$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why does dividing two negative numbers give a positive answer?

Think of division as "how many times does the divisor go into the dividend?" When you ask "how many times does -1 go into -118?", the answer is +118 times because $(-1) × (+118) = -118$ .

What's the easiest way to remember the sign rules?

Use this simple rule: Same signs = positive, different signs = negative. Since both -118 and -1 are negative (same signs), the result is positive!

Is (-118) ÷ (-1) the same as (-118) × (-1)?

No! Division and multiplication are different operations. $(-118) ÷ (-1) = +118$ but $(-118) × (-1) = +118$ . They happen to give the same result here only because we're dividing by -1.

How do I check if my division answer is correct?

Use multiplication to check division! Multiply your answer by the divisor. If you get the original dividend, you're correct: $(+118) × (-1) = -118$ ✓

What happens when I divide any number by -1?

Dividing by -1 always gives you the opposite sign of the original number. So $(-118) ÷ (-1) = +118$ and $(+118) ÷ (-1) = -118$ .

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