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Multiplication of Signed Numbers

Try it:

5 x -2 =

2 x -7 =

3 x -6 =

We get negative answers for all of them, don't we?

What if the negative number is in front?

-4 x 5 =

No problem!

We can use the commutative property to switch the order... and figure it out the same way!

-4 x 5 = 5 x -4 =

-4 + -4 + -4 + -4 + -4 = -20

-4 x 5 = -20