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01 Multiplying Negatives Makes A Positive

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9 views

01 Multiplying Negatives Makes A Positive

Uploaded by

pirim2357
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Multiplying Negatives

When We Multiply:
Example
× two positives make a positive: 3×2=6

× two negatives make a positive: (−3) × (−2) = 6

× a negative and a positive


make a negative:
(−3) × 2 = −6

× a positive and a negative


make a negative: 3 × (−2) = −6

Yes indeed, two negatives make a positive, and we will explain why, with examples!

Signs
Let's talk about signs.

"+" is the positive sign, "−" is the negative sign.

When a number has no sign it usually means that it is positive.

Example: 5 is really +5

And we can put () around the numbers to avoid confusion.

Example: 3 × −2 can be written as (+3) × (−2)


Two Signs: The Rules
Like Signs Unlike Signs
"Two like signs make a positive sign,
two unlike signs make a negative
sign"

Example: (−2) × (+5)

The signs are − and + (a negative sign and a positive sign), so they
are unlike signs (they are different to each other)

So the result must be negative:

(−2) × (+5) = −10

Example: (−4) × (−3)

The signs are − and − (they are both negative signs), so they are like
signs (like each other)

So the result must be positive:

(−4) × (−3) = +12

Why does multiplying two negative


numbers make a positive?
Well, first there is the "common sense" explanation:

When I say "Eat!" I am encouraging you to eat


(positive)

But when I say "Do not eat!" I am saying the


opposite (negative).
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).

So, two negatives make a positive, and if that satisfies you, then you don't need to
read any more.

Direction
It is all about direction. Remember the Number Line ?

-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Well here we have Baby Steven taking his first steps. He takes 2 paces at a time,
and does this three times, so he moves 2 steps x 3 = 6 steps forward:

Now, Baby Steven can also step backwards (he is a clever little guy). His Dad puts
him back at the start and then Steven steps backwards 2 steps, and does this three
times:

Once again Steven's Dad puts him back at the start, but facing the other way. Steven
takes 2 steps forward (for him!) but he is heading in the negative direction. He does
this 3 times:
Back 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:

So, by walking backwards, while facing in the negative direction, he moves in the
positive direction.

Try it yourself! Try walking forwards and backwards, then again but facing the
other direction.

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