The equation -5x(-8)=-8x5 illustrates the ____?______property of multiplication. I am not sure, but I think this may be a typo on my professors part. it cannot be commutative because the signs are not right. Is there something I am missing?

Question

The equation -5x(-8)=-8x5 illustrates the ____?______property of multiplication.   I am not sure, but I think this may be a typo on my professors part.  it cannot be commutative because the signs are not right.  Is there something I am missing?

anonymous · Answer

It seems like a typo

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

if it was 

-5x(-8)=-8x(-5)

then it would be the commutative property of multiplication, so assume there's a typo (and that's the typo) and go with this answer (that's what I would do). You can also ask your teacher about it. That's probably a better idea.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you both. I sent her a message on it yesterday, but haven't heard back yet.  I just wasn't sure if there was some mysterious property that I was missing, or some rule that I had overlooked.

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

no, -5x(-8)=-8x5 is just completely incorrect since the left side is 40 and the right side is -40, so there is no mysterious unknown property at work here.

anonymous · Answer

Yep!

anonymous · Answer

Great! Thanks!  Maybe she'll either give me credit for catching the mistake, or count off for me calling her out on it. hah!

anonymous · Answer

good luck! :)

anonymous · Answer

Thanks!!!