math: why does -3(-3) = +3? how is this solved?

[ladyj1]

Hello, I have a quick question. why does -3(-3) = +3
how is this solved? thx.

[stapel_eliz]

To learn how negatives work, try here.

[QM deFuturo]

Hello, I have a quick question. why does -3(-3) = +3
how is this solved? thx.

Is this supposed to be a multiplication problem? I.e, are you multiplying negative 3 by itself?

If so, then your equation is not correct. If you just ignore the minus sign for the moment, what is 3 times 3? It's not 3!

When you multiply two numbers with signs (positive or negative):

First, multiply the two numbers as though there were no signs involved.
Then, determine the sign of the final product. These rules really are pretty easy.

If the signs are the same, the result is positive.
If the signs are different, the result is negative.

QM