PEAZIT Aha card
Go straight to resources ↓Why is a negative times a negative positive?
The sign rule must work with the distributive property.
| Product | Result |
|---|---|
| (−3) × 2 | −6 |
| (−3) × 1 | −3 |
| (−3) × 0 | 0 |
| (−3) × (−1) | 3 |
One worked example
- (−3) × [2 + (−2)] = 0The bracket equals zero.
- −6 + (−3) × (−2) = 0Distribute the multiplication.
- (−3) × (−2) = 6For the sum to be zero, the second product must be 6.
Watch out: “Two negatives make a positive” applies to the product, not the sum. The table pattern alone is not a proof.
Goal, prerequisites and card origin
What you will learn: Distinguish the signs of a product and a sum of negatives.
What you need first: Multiplication and the distributive property.
An original PEAZIT working card. Independent expert review and effectiveness testing have not yet taken place. · v1
Show connections
The sign rule must work with the distributive property.