If our problem is 3% (-4), we can think of it as 3 groups of -4. But when our problem is -4 x 3, it's strange to think about "negative 4 groups” of 3.
Instead, we can think of the negative sign as "the opposite of." Two
integers are opposites if they're the same distance away from o on opposite
sides of the number line. So,-4 x 3 is "the opposite of”43. We can model
this on the number line by jumping 3 units to the right, 4 times, and then
jumping to "the opposite of” our product :-12.
Wilbur says that -7 x 5 is the same as 7 5. What would you tell Wilbur?
A
“That's correct. -7 x 5 is the same as 7 x 5."
B
“That's incorrect. -7 x 5 is the opposite of 7 x 5."
с
“That's incorrect. -7 x 5 = 5 x 7."
D
“That's incorrect. -7 x 5 = 7: -5."