Solve (-10) × 2: Step-by-Step Negative Number Multiplication

Q: Why is the answer negative when I'm multiplying by a positive number?

The sign rule says that when you multiply numbers with different signs (one negative, one positive), the result is always negative. Think of it as: negative × positive = negative!

Q: What if both numbers were negative?

If both numbers are negative, like $ (-10) \times (-2) $, then the result would be positive 20! Remember: negative × negative = positive.

Q: How do I remember the sign rules?

Use this simple pattern:Same signs (both + or both -) = positive resultDifferent signs (one + and one -) = negative result

Q: Should I use parentheses around negative numbers?

Yes! Always write negative numbers in parentheses like $ (-10) $ when multiplying. This makes it clear that the negative sign belongs to the number, not the operation.

Negative Number Multiplication with Positive Integers

Solve the following exercise:

$(-10)\cdot2=$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve

00:08 Negative times positive is always negative

00:17 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

Solve the following exercise:

$(-10)\cdot2=$

Step-by-step solution

Let's recall the rule:

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

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

$-10\times+2=-20$

Final Answer

$-20$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Sign Rule: Negative times positive always equals negative
Technique: Multiply absolute values: $10 \times 2 = 20$ , then apply negative sign
Check: Count negative signs: one negative makes result negative ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Forgetting the negative sign in the final answer
Don't just multiply 10 × 2 = 20 and stop there! This ignores the negative sign completely. Always remember: negative × positive = negative, so (-10) × 2 = -20.

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 a positive number?

The sign rule says that when you multiply numbers with different signs (one negative, one positive), the result is always negative. Think of it as: negative × positive = negative!

What if both numbers were negative?

If both numbers are negative, like $(-10) \times (-2)$ , then the result would be positive 20! Remember: negative × negative = positive.

How do I remember the sign rules?

Use this simple pattern:

Same signs (both + or both -) = positive result
Different signs (one + and one -) = negative result

Should I use parentheses around negative numbers?

Yes! Always write negative numbers in parentheses like $(-10)$ when multiplying. This makes it clear that the negative sign belongs to the number, not the operation.

What's the difference between -10 × 2 and (-10) × 2?

They mean the same thing! Both represent multiplying negative ten by positive two. The parentheses just make it extra clear that the negative sign belongs to the 10.

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