What happens when you multiply a negative number by another negative number? Is it still negative or does it become positive?

Question

anonymous · Answer

positive

anonymous · Answer

same with division

amistre64 · Answer

the rule of thumb; whenever you have an even number of same signs; go positive

anonymous · Answer

So... -6(x+-6) is -6x +-6?

amistre64 · Answer

more like

-6(x+-6) = -6x +--6(6)
                             ^
                              -- means +; just stab one with the other 
                                       to make a + sign

anonymous · Answer

So it actually equals 36.

amistre64 · Answer

-6(x+-6)

-6x +--6(6)

-6x ++36

-6x + 36

amistre64 · Answer

so yes :)

anonymous · Answer

Wow....ok thanks x)

anonymous · Answer

good job jess! (and amistre)

amistre64 · Answer

.... i have to confess, ive actually done these things before lol

amistre64 · Answer

i still do it on my calculus tests just to make sure i dont confuse me signs

anonymous · Answer

I occasionally still count on my fingers :)

anonymous · Answer

we can show -*- = + by considering numbers and brackets

5 - 3(4 - 1)
working brackets first this = 5 - 3*3 = -4
using the distributive law -4 can only be obtained if -*- = +
5 - 3*4 -3*-1 = 5-12+3 = -4

amistre64 · Answer

adding with my fingers is easy; its subtraction that gets painful ;)

anonymous · Answer

lol XD

anonymous · Answer

What is *3? I don't understand what you did.

anonymous · Answer

*3 is "times 3"