Question

Do the two expressions (-5)(3) and (-3)(5) have the same value? Explain how you know:

Answer 1

Answer: Yes they have the same value

Both are equal to -15

Further Explanation:

If we ignore the negative, then 5*3 = 15 and 3*5 = 15. The order of multiplication doesn't matter.

The negative is then introduced to let us say

-5*3 = -15

-3*5 = -15

This makes the final result negative. The negative flips whatever the previous result was.