Past the end of the times table
The −6 times table gives −18, −12, −6, 0. What comes after 0?
Step 1 of 4
- Counts 3, 2, 1, 0 give −18, −12, −6, 0.
- Each step right is a gap of 6.
- Carry the gap past zero: count −1 gives 6.
- Count −2 gives 12.
After 0 comes 6. Each row is 6 more than the row before it. So 0 + 6 = 6 comes next. Then 6 + 6 = 12.
Rule: neither number is zero? Then the signs decide. Same signs, multiplied, give a positive answer. Different signs, multiplied, give a negative answer.
(−6) × (−1) = 6. (−6) × (−2) = 12.
Adding is a different job. Two negatives add to a negative number. A mixed pair takes the bigger move's side.
Watch out!
"Two negatives make a positive" is not always true. True for multiplying: (−3) × (−4) = 12. False for adding: (−3) + (−4) = −7. Same two numbers — so read the operation sign first.
Slide the count below zero in the lab. Watch the pattern carry on.
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