Part 2/7:
Every positive number has a corresponding negative value or "opposite." For instance, the opposite of 3 is -3. Similarly, the opposite of -3 is positive 3. This relationship helps to set the foundation for understanding multiplication and how negatives operate within this framework.
Multiplication with Positive and Negative Numbers
Multiplication can be viewed as repeated addition, which lends itself to a visual understanding. For example:
When multiplying 3 * 4, we can conceptualize this as adding four three times: 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.
Now, consider 4 multiplied by -3, expressed as 4 * (-3). This can be understood as adding -3 a total of four times: -3 + -3 + -3 + -3 = -12. Here, we are effectively subtracting, yielding a negative result.