what do we do when we work with multiplying negatives?

Question

For example -4*-4

Answer 1

You can think of it like this" -4 = (-1)*4, so

-4 * -4 = (-1)(4)(-1)(4)

Your common sense about multiplication is stated in the commutative property of multiplication: multiply numbers in any order and you'll get the same answer.

(-1)(4)(-1)(4) = (-1)(-1)(4)(4).

I just rearranged things. We then say that two negatives cancel out and you'll get 4*4 = 16.

Answer 2

Hey Kim -- think of this: we can earn (+) $4 or we can spend (-) $4 ... go backward (-) in time 4 days ... if we spent $4 each of the last 4 days (-4 x -4), did we not have $16 MORE in our wallet (+) 4 days ago? Regards :) 

Answer 3

When multiplying two negatives your answer will be positive.

I like to remember "When multiplying, two negatives equal a positive."

Furthermore, just as two positives equal a positive answer, two negatives also equal a positive answer.

Now, when you have one positive and one negative - your answer is always negative.

Hope this helps - and good luck!

Savannah