Let’s look at a couple of equations:
8 * 4 = 32
8 * (-4) = -32
What do you notice? Here are two more:
12 * 7 = 84
(-12) * 7 = -84
Why is this?
One explanation is that -x = x * (-1). So, for example, -4 is the same as 4 * (-1), and multiplying 8 * (-4) is the same as multiplying 8 * 4 * (-1).
You know that 8 * 4 = 32, so 8 * 4 * (-1) = -32.
Got it? Let’s practice some problems.