1. The problem is to understand what happens to negative signs in algebraic expressions or equations. 2. Negative signs indicate the opposite or subtraction. When simplifying expressions, negatives can change signs of terms or factors. 3. Important rules: - Multiplying two negatives gives a positive: $(-a)(-b) = ab$ - Multiplying a negative and a positive gives a negative: $(-a)(b) = -ab$ - Subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive: $a - (-b) = a + b$ 4. Example: Simplify $-(-3) + (-2) \times (-4)$ 5. Step 1: Remove double negative: $-(-3) = 3$ 6. Step 2: Multiply negatives: $(-2) \times (-4) = 8$ 7. Step 3: Add results: $3 + 8 = 11$ 8. So negatives can cancel each other or change signs depending on operations.