Sheet # 61/Integer/Why -1 x - 1 = 1?
Name: _____________________ Date_____________
There is no concrete example of multiplying negative numbers, but here is a proof for it.
First start with the sum of opposites:
- 3 + 3 = 0
Now multiply both sides of the equation by a negative number:
- 4(- 3 + 3) = 0 * - 4
This gives
(- 4* - 3) +( - 4 * 3) = 0
We know that 3 groups of negative four is negative twelve:
(- 4 * - 3 )+ ( -12 ) = 0
So what number plus negative twelve will give me zero? positive twelve. Therefore, - 4 * -3 = 12