Let's Multiply Integers!
Ready to take your math skills to the next level? Let’s dive into the world of multiplying integers, where positive and negative numbers collide to create exciting new possibilities! Get ready to unleash your inner math whiz in multiplying integers using the outline below:
1. Understand what integers are: Integers are whole numbers, including zero, and their negative counterparts. Negative integers are numbers less than zero.
Example problem: -4 x 5
2. Identify the operation: The example problem above is a multiplication problem because of the multiplication sign (x).
-4 x 5
3. Determine the signs of the integers: If both integers are positive, the answer will be positive. If both integers are negative, the answer will be positive. If one integer is positive and the other is negative, the answer will be negative.
-4 x 5
One integer is negative and the other is positive, so the answer will be negative.
4. Multiply the absolute values: Ignore the signs and multiply the absolute values (the numbers without their signs).
|4| × |3| = 12.
5. Determine the sign of the answer: Use the signs from step 3 to determine the sign of the answer. Since one integer is negative (-3) and the other is positive (4), the product will be negative.
6. Write the answer: Write the answer with the correct sign and simplify if possible. The answer is -12.
