Step-by-Step Explanation of -3 multiplied by +6
Multiplication involves combining equal groups of numbers. When we multiply a negative number by a positive number, the result is always negative. Here’s how we can understand this step by step:
Step 1: Identify the numbers
In this case, the numbers involved are:
- -3 (negative)
- +6 (positive)
Step 2: Understand the sign rule
The rule for multiplying positive and negative numbers is:
- Positive × Positive = Positive
- Negative × Negative = Positive
- Negative × Positive = Negative
Since we are multiplying a negative number by a positive number, we will follow the third rule: the result will be negative.
Step 3: Multiply the absolute values
Now, we need to multiply the absolute values of the numbers:
- Absolute value of -3 is 3
- Absolute value of +6 is 6
Now, we multiply these absolute values:
3 × 6 = 18
Step 4: Apply the sign
Since we determined the result will be negative, we put a negative sign in front of our multiplication result:
-18
Final Answer
-3 multiplied by +6 equals -18.