What is -5 x 12?

The product of -5 multiplied by 12 is -60. When you multiply a negative number (-5) by a positive number (12), the result is a negative number, which in this case is -60.

Certainly, here’s the result of the multiplication -5 x 12 in a table:

Multiplication	Result
-5 x 12	-60

Math is an important part of our daily lives. We use math skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division on a regular basis, whether we realize it or not. Working through math problems helps strengthen critical thinking and logic skills. In this blog post, we will work through the simple math problem -5 x 12 step-by-step and discuss some of the key takeaways.

Understanding the Problem

When presented with any math problem, the first step is to make sure you understand exactly what the question is asking. In this case, the problem is -5 x 12. This is asking us to multiply -5 and 12 together. It’s important to pay attention to the negative sign in front of the 5. That negative sign will impact the result.

Multiplying Positive and Negative Numbers

When multiplying two numbers that have the same sign, either both positive or both negative, the result will be a positive number. For example, 5 x 2 = 10 and -5 x -2 = 10. However, when multiplying numbers with different signs, the result will be negative. This is an important rule to remember when working with positive and negative numbers.

Multiplying -5 and 12

Now that we understand the signs of the two numbers we are working with, let’s multiply them step-by-step:

-5 x 12 = -60

We take -5 and multiply it by the positive 12, which results in -60. The product of a negative and a positive number is always negative.

Checking our Work

It’s always a good idea to double check our math work whenever possible. Let’s verify the product of -5 and 12 is -60 using a different method.

We can break 12 into 10 + 2:

-5 x (10 + 2) = -5 x 10 + -5 x 2 = -50 + -10 = -60

Breaking down the 12 into component parts of 10 and 2, and multiplying each component separately, gives us the same final result of -60. Getting the same solution using two methods confirms that our original work is correct.

Key Takeaways

Working through a simple multiplication problem like -5 x 12 helps reinforce some key math rules and principles:

• Pay close attention to the signs of the numbers you are multiplying. The signs determine whether the product will be positive or negative.
• Multiplying a negative and a positive number results in a negative product. This is an important rule to remember when working with positive and negative numbers.
• Always check your work using a different method if possible. This helps catch any potential mistakes in the original solution method.
• Breaking bigger math problems down into component pieces can help simplify the work and make it easier to solve.

Regular practice with math problems builds familiarity with numbers, patterns, and principles that will provide a solid foundation for more advanced math down the road. Mastering the basics sets learners up for success.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we walked through step-by-step how to solve the multiplication problem -5 x 12 and explained the logic and rules that determined the solution was -60. Taking the time to show the work and describing the reasoning helps reinforce essential math concepts that will aid in solving more complex equations. Practicing fundamental math skills like multiplying positive and negative numbers also builds a student’s confidence in their math ability. Learning math is an incremental journey, with each solved problem bringing you one step closer to mastering numeracy. Consistent practice and application of key math rules will continue developing critical thinking muscles. Tackling math problems frequently may not always be fun or exciting, but it does train the brain and opens up a world of possibilities.