We learnt how to add directed numbers and how to subtract directed numbers in different situations and let us see how we can multiply directed numbers. We can multiply directed numbers like other actual numbers but there is a difference.

Let us say we have negative 5 (-5) and we have positive 3 (3) so, let us multiply -5 and 3.

Worked Example

-5 x 3 = -15

How did we get negative fifteen (-15) ?

When multiplying negative number with positive number we always get negative answer. We calculate numbers normally but the answer will always be negative.

What if we have both positive numbers 5 and 3?

Worked Example

Let us multiply 5 by 3.

5 x 3 = 15

How did we get positive fifteen (15) ?

When multiplying positive numbers we always get positive answer. We calculate numbers as normal but the answer will always be positive.

What if we have both negative numbers?

Let us say we have negative five (-5) and negative three (-3).

So, let us multiply - by -3.

Worked Example

-5 x -3 = 15

How did we get negative answer?

When we multiply both negative numbers the answer will always be positive. We multiply numbers as normal but the answer will always be positive.

We will always follow this procedure when we multiply directed numbers and we can see that the procedure when multiplying directed numbers is different from addition and subtraction of directed numbers. So, make sure you can differentiate these procedures else you will be confused and get the answers wrong.