Solve (-1) × 3: Basic Integer Multiplication Practice

Q: Why is the answer negative when I'm multiplying by 3?

The answer is negative because one factor is negative and one is positive. The sign rule says: negative × positive = negative, so $ (-1) \times 3 = -3 $.

Q: What if both numbers were negative?

If both numbers were negative, the answer would be positive! For example: $ (-1) \times (-3) = +3 $. Remember: negative × negative = positive.

Q: Is there a trick to remember the sign rules?

Yes! Think of it like this: same signs give positive (+×+ or -×-), and different signs give negative (+×- or -×+). It's like friends (same) get along, enemies (different) fight!

Q: Does the order matter when multiplying?

No! Multiplication is commutative, so $ (-1) \times 3 = 3 \times (-1) = -3 $. The order doesn't change the result.

Q: What about multiplying by -1 specifically?

Multiplying by -1 is special - it just changes the sign! $ (-1) \times 3 = -3 $ and $ (-1) \times (-5) = 5 $. It's like a 'sign flipper'!

Integer Multiplication with Negative Numbers

What is the answer to the following exercise?

$(-1)\cdot3=$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve

00:07 Negative times positive always equals negative

00:13 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

What is the answer to the following exercise?

$(-1)\cdot3=$

Step-by-step solution

Let's recall the law:

$(+x)\times(-x)=-x$

Therefore, the sign of the exercise result will be negative:

$-1\times+3=-3$

Final Answer

$-3$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Sign Rule: Negative times positive always equals negative
Technique: $(-1) \times 3 = -(1 \times 3) = -3$
Check: Verify the sign is negative since one factor is negative ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Forgetting the negative sign in the answer
Don't ignore the negative sign and write 3 = wrong positive result! This happens when students focus only on multiplying the numbers and forget the sign rules. Always apply the sign rule first: negative × positive = negative.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

What will be the sign of the result of the next exercise?

$(-2)\cdot(-4)=$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why is the answer negative when I'm multiplying by 3?

The answer is negative because one factor is negative and one is positive. The sign rule says: negative × positive = negative, so $(-1) \times 3 = -3$ .

What if both numbers were negative?

If both numbers were negative, the answer would be positive! For example: $(-1) \times (-3) = +3$ . Remember: negative × negative = positive.

Is there a trick to remember the sign rules?

Yes! Think of it like this: same signs give positive (+×+ or -×-), and different signs give negative (+×- or -×+). It's like friends (same) get along, enemies (different) fight!

Does the order matter when multiplying?

No! Multiplication is commutative, so $(-1) \times 3 = 3 \times (-1) = -3$ . The order doesn't change the result.

What about multiplying by -1 specifically?

Multiplying by -1 is special - it just changes the sign! $(-1) \times 3 = -3$ and $(-1) \times (-5) = 5$ . It's like a 'sign flipper'!

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