I have always heard that multiplication is fast adding of the same number. This made sense until we got to negative numbers. Why would two negative numbers become a positive number when they are multiplied if it is indeed just adding the same number? I have asked several people this and never got a straight answer. Please help me!
In: Mathematics
4 x 4 = take four steps forward, do this four times.
-4 x 4 = take four steps backwards, do this four times.
-4 x -4 = take four steps backwards, but *turn around* and do this four times.
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