Question

Find the product or quotient)

– 4 (– 8)

Short answer

The value of the product – 4 (– 8 ) is 32

Step-by-step solution

Step-1 – Apply the concept of product

In mathematics, a product is the result of multiplication, or an expression that identifies factors to be multiplied. The numbers that are being multiplied are called the factors and the product of two numbers is the result you get when you multiply them together.

Step-2 – Rule and examples of multiplication of integers 

Multiplication of Integers

RULE 1: The product of a positive integer and a negative integer is negative.

RULE 2: The product of two positive integers is positive.

RULE 3: The product of two negative integers is positive.

Type of Numbers	Result	Example
Positive x Positive	Positive	1 x 5 = 5
Negative x Negative	Positive	(–1) x (–5) = 5
Positive x Negative	Negative	1 x (–5) =–5
Negative x Positive	Negative	(– 1) x 5 = – 5

Step-3 – Find the product: – 4 (– 8)  

RULE 1: The product of a positive integer and a negative integer is negative.

4 is negative and 8 is also negative, so the answer will be positive.

– 4 (– 8) = + 32