MULTIPLICATION return
In algebra we concern ourselves with
multiplying signed numbers such as - 4 and +
3.
So lets multiply
them - 4(+ 3) = - 12 What does the answer tell
us about multiplying
a negative number by a positive number? Answer
Of course since multiplication is commutative 3(- 4) also = - 12
As in arithmetic a positive number
multiplied by a positive number
equals a positive number ex + 5(+6) = + 30 By
tradition we do not
write the positive sign. So the previous problem would look like 5(6) = 30
What happens if we multiply two negative numbers together?
For example -4(-6) = answer
Would the answer to the following problem be positive or negative?
3(-4)(5)(-2) = answer