Multiplication
As you know, multiplication is a mathematical operation that helps us combine groups of numbers or find the total when we have several equal groups. When we multiply, we're essentially adding a number to itself multiple times.
Multiplying positive numbers
Now, let's talk about multiplying positive numbers first. If you have two positive numbers, like 3 and 4, you can multiply them by adding 3, four times. So, 3 multiplied by 4 is equal to 3 + 3 + 3 + 3, which equals 12.
Multiplying negative numbers by positive numbers
But what happens when we multiply positive by negative numbers? When we multiply a positive number by a negative number, the result will be negative. For example, if we have -3 multiplied by 4, it means we add -3 four times: -3 + (-3) + (-3) + (-3) equals -12.
Similarly, when we multiply a negative number by a positive number, the result will also be negative. So, -6 multiplied by 3 means we add -6 three times: -6 + (-6) + (-6) equals -18.
Multiplying negative numbers by negative numbers
Lastly, when we multiply two negative numbers together, the result will be positive.
The best way to explain this is to think of a numbers line. You have a negative number, so you are facing in the negative direction. You are multiplying that by another negative numbers, so you are not walking forward (which would take you in the negative numbers direction); you are walking backwards, which will take you in the positive numbers direction.
So -3 multiplied by -6 is 18.
To summarize
Positive number multiplied by a positive number is positive.
Negative number multiplied by a positive number is negative.
Positive number multiplied by a negative number is negative.
Negative number multiplied by a negative number is positive.
Multiplying with negative numbers worksheets
In our grade 5 math section, we have a set of worksheets for students to practice multiplying positive and negative numbers.
