Find each product or quotient where possible. See Example 2. 5(-7)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the operation to be performed, which is multiplication in this case.
2. Recognize the numbers involved in the multiplication: 5 and -7.
3. Recall the rule for multiplying a positive number by a negative number: the product is negative.
4. Multiply the absolute values of the numbers: 5 and 7.
5. Apply the sign rule to the product obtained from the previous step.

Key Concepts

Multiplication of Integers

Multiplication of integers involves combining equal groups of numbers. In this case, multiplying 5 by -7 means adding -7 a total of 5 times. The result will be negative since one of the integers is negative, following the rule that a positive times a negative yields a negative product.

Order of Operations

The order of operations is a set of rules that dictates the sequence in which calculations should be performed to ensure consistent results. In this context, multiplication is performed before addition or subtraction, which is crucial for correctly evaluating expressions involving multiple operations.

Understanding Negative Numbers

Negative numbers represent values less than zero and are essential in various mathematical operations. When multiplying a positive number by a negative number, the product is negative, which is a fundamental concept in arithmetic that helps in understanding the behavior of numbers on the number line.