$1.$ A stone is thrown downward with a speed of $6$ m$/$s from a height of $26$ m$.($acceleration due to gravity: $10$ m$/$s$2)$

a$)$ What is the speed $($in m$/$s$)$ of the stone just before it hits the ground?

b$)$ How long does it take $($in seconds$)$ for the stone to hit the ground?

$2.$ A stone is thrown upward with a speed of $6$ m$/$s from a height of $26$ m$.($acceleration due to gravity: $10$ m$/$s$2)$

a$)$ What is the speed $($in m$/$s$)$ of the stone just before it hits the ground?

b$)$ How long does it take $($in seconds$)$ for the stone to hit the ground?

The answers are as follows:

$1.$ a$)23\mathrm{.}58$ b$)1\mathrm{.}76$

$2.$ a$)23\mathrm{.}58$ b$)2\mathrm{.}96$ I$\text{'}$m just a bit confused because I solve Q$.1$ with gravity being positive $($because the stone is also going down$)$ and Q$.2$ with gravity being negative because it's always downward and the stone is going up$.$