Don’t Be Negative

Lyrics

Chorus
Don’t be negative about negative signs
Just use your brain that you’ll train, yeah you’re gonna be fine
So don’t be negative about negative signs
You’ll be dancing with the answers to the questions in time

Verse I
When you’re adding two numbers and the signs are all the same
You add the absolute value and the sign doesn’t change
Let’s say you’re adding (−5) with (−5)
The answer’s (−10) with the negative sign
This time we’ll mix it up and we’ll use one negative
We’ll add integers with signs opposite
Subtract the smaller from the larger
Keep the larger number’s sign, so 8 + (−17) is (−9)

Chorus

Verse II
To subtract you change the sign on the number being subtracted
So sit back, relax and just let the math just happen
You’ll convert what you’re subtracting to the opposite sign
And add the two together—yeah the answer you will find
If you’re confused, listen up as the examples start to flow
Yeah, we got 10 − (−4)
4 becomes positive, we convert it you see
Now add them up and get 14

Chorus

Verse II
When you’re multiplying numbers there are tricks to keep in mind
Like positive times positive is a positive sign
And negative times negative is positive too
But negative times positive is negative, yo
Lets go on to dividing, the rules are just the same
The only change is that you’re in division’s domain
So the only time you get a sign that isn’t positive
Is when you divide two numbers with signs opposite

Chorus

Bridge
When negative numbers find their way in the equation
Sometimes it might feel like an alien invasion
I’m sayin’—it’s wack, you know, but with some patience
You’re gonna succeed, yeah it’s success you’ll be tasting

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Description

This song teaches arithmetic and algebra rules for working with negative number, including adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing positive and negative numbers. The teaching materials at the bottom of the page, including lesson plans, worksheets, activities and games, are additional resources to help teachers and homeschool parents generate teaching ideas for the song topic. Students will have a greater understanding of negative numbers and how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide them in math problems.

This math song is suitable to help teach negative numbers to elementary school students (4th grade, 5th grade and 6th grade), middle school, high school, home school, and college classes.

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Related Reading and Activities

Reading

Math Forum
Ask Dr. Math: Inequalities and Negative Numbers
This site has a Q&A format, providing detailed information about performing operations with negative numbers. Good site for basic information.
Grades 5-8

Negative Times a Negative
This site uses several examples for explaining how to compute with negative numbers. It also features links to other resources. Detailed and complete.
Grades 4-8

Lesson Plans & Activities

Education World.com
Positive and Negative Integers: A Card Game
This adaptation of the card game Twenty-Five provides practice adding and subtracting positive and negative integers. A good game but for groups or small classes.
Grades 5-8

Lesson Tutor
Algebra Lesson 9 – Positives and Negatives on the Number Line
This activity teaches students to think about negative numbers in terms of the number line. It also provides practice in adding/subtracting negative numbers. An easy way to assess students’ understanding of negative numbers.
Grades 4-8

FunBrain.com
Line Game
This site has games ranging from easy to ‘super brain’ using positive and negative integers in a line game. Good fun and review.
Grades 3-8

Math is Fun.com
Multiplying Negatives
This site is loaded with games and activities for all kinds of math. Some are easier than others, but all seem to be well written and fun. You may wish to bookmark this site.
Grades 2-7

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State Standards

State standards listed here are representative of school standards across the United States.

California

5th Grade
Number Sense: 2.1 - Add with negative integers; subtract positive integers from negative integers; verify the reasonableness of results.

6th Grade
Number Sense: 2.3 - Solve addition/subtraction/multiplication/division problems, to include those arising in concrete situations, that use positive/negative integers and combinations of operations.

Florida

7th Grade
MA.7.A.3.1 - Use/justify the rules for adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing/finding absolute value of integers.

Massachusetts

5th & 6th Grades
6.N.12 - Demonstrate understanding of inverse relationship of addition/subtraction, and use understanding to simplify computation/ solve problems.

New York

6th Grade
6.N.4 - Define/ identify identity/inverse properties of addition/ multiplication.

7th Grade
7.N.12 - Add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers.

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