Scott at also has put together a handy video on how to create a cheat sheet for multiplying negative and positive numbers (scroll down the page and you’ll find the video). If you’re still confused over why a negative number times a negative number makes a positive number, Diana Brown at the Department of Mathematics, the University of Georgia, explains it in many different ways in this article. Here’s the overall rule to remember when multiplying positive and negative numbers: ![]() 2 x -4 are both negative, so we know the answer is going to be positive. If you look at it on the number line, walking backwards while facing in the negative direction, you move in the positive direction.įor example. Two negatives make a positive, so a negative number times a negative number makes a positive number. Rule 3: A negative number times a negative number, equals a positive number. It doesn’t matter which order the positive and negative numbers are in that you are multiplying, the answer is always a negative number.įor example: -2 x 4, which in essence is the same as -2 + (-2) + (-2) + (-2)Īnd as we said, if it’s the other way around 4 x -2, the answer is still the same: -8. When you multiply a negative number to a positive number, your answer is a negative number. Rule 2: A negative number times a positive number equals a negative number. This is similar to the rule for adding and subtracting: two. 5 is a positive number, 3 is a positive number and multiplying equals a positive number: 15. When you multiply two negative numbers or two positive numbers then the product is always positive. This is the multiplication you have been doing all along, positive numbers times positive numbers equal positive numbers.įor example, 5 x 3 = 15. There are only three rules to remember: Rule 1: A positive number times a positive number equals a positive number. Multiply two at a time and follow the rules.There are less rules when multiplying positive and negative numbers than in adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers. What About Multiplying 3 or More Numbers Together? ![]() Getting 4 smaller each time.Īlso see this at Real Multiplication Table. We can follow along a row (or column) and the values change consistently: now we go further to the left, through zero: × Look over that table again, make sure you are comfortable with how it works, because. Now see what happens when we head into negatives! Start with the multiplication table (just up to 4×4 will do): × Play With Itīut maybe you would like to see it in action? Use the sliders below: Try it yourself! Try walking forwards and backwards, then again but facing the other direction. So, by walking backwards, while facing in the negative direction, he moves in the positive direction. He does this 3 times:īack at the start again (thanks Dad!), still facing in the negative direction, he tries his backwards walking, once again taking two steps at a time, and he does this three times: Steven takes 2 steps forward (for him!) but he is heading in the negative direction. Once again Steven's Dad puts him back at the start, but facing the other way. His Dad puts him back at the start and then Steven steps backwards 2 steps, and does this three times: Now, Baby Steven can also step backwards (he is a clever little guy). If the coefficient is negative, now the end behavior on both sides will be. If the value of the coefficient of the term with the greatest degree is positive then that means that the end behavior to on both sides. He takes 2 paces at a time, and does this three times, so he moves 2 steps x 3 = 6 steps forward: All polynomials with even degrees will have a the same end behavior as x approaches - and. Well here we have Baby Steven taking his first steps. ![]() So, two negatives make a positive, and if that satisfies you, then you don't need to read any more. When you add two negative integers together, the sum is a more negative number since you are moving further down (to the left) of the number line. This is essentially the same as subtracting 5 from 4. Now if I say "Do NOT not eat!", I am saying I don't want you to starve, so I am back to saying "Eat!" (positive). First, draw a number line and start at 4. When I say "Eat!" I am encouraging you to eat (positive)īut when I say "Do not eat!" I am saying the opposite (negative).
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