Dividing Negative Numbers Example
22 October 2026
When children first meet negative numbers, dividing them can seem confusing. It's helpful to break the process into simple steps so your child can see exactly what to do.
Worked example
What is (-12) ÷ (-3)?
First, ignore the minus signs. Divide 12 by 3.
12 ÷ 3 = 4
Key insight: When you divide two negative numbers, the answer is positive.
So, (-12) ÷ (-3) = 4
The correct answer is 4.
After working through this example, your child will know what to look for when dividing negative numbers. They can now spot when the answer will be positive and are ready to practise similar questions.
