How to multiply negative numbers - ACT Math

Card 0 of 7

Question

Evaluate:

–3 * –7

Answer

Multiplying a negative number and another negative number makes the product positive.

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Question

Simplify the following expression: (–4)(2)(–1)(–3)

Answer

First, we multiply –4 and 2. A negative and a positive number multiplied together give us a negative number, so (–4)(2) = –8. A negative times a negative is a positive so (–8)(–1) = 8. (8)(–3) = –24.

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Question

If a = –2 and b = –3, then evaluate a3 + b2

Answer

When multiplying negative numbers, we get a negative answer if there are an odd number of negative numbers being multiplied. We get a positive answer if there are an even number of negative numbers being multiplied.

a3 + b2 becomes (–2)3 + (–3)2 which equals –8 + 9 = 1

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Question

Evaluate 3x3 + x2 if x = _–_2

Answer

When multiplying a negative number an odd number of times, the answer is negative. When multiplying a negative number an even number of times, the answer is positive. Order of operations also applies: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction, from left to right. A mnemonic to remember the order of operations is “Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally.”

3(_–2)3 + (–_2)2

= 3(_–_8) + (4)

= _–_24 + 4

= _–_20

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Question

Evaluate.

\dpi{100} \small (-8\times 6) - (5\times -3)

Answer

\dpi{100} \small (-8\times 6) - (5\times -3)

Multiplying a negative and a positive number creates a negative product:

\dpi{100} \small (-48)-(-15)

\dpi{100} \small -48+15

\dpi{100} \small -33

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Question

Solve.

(6-8)\times 11=

Answer

(6-8)=-2

-2\times 11=-22

A negative number multiplied by a positive number will always be negative.

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Question

Evaluate the following:

Answer

Two odd numbers multiplied always result in an even number. Simply multiple the two as though they were even. Thus

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