S S +, SD - IGNORE the signs!

What is -2 x 3?

When I was taught about multiplying and dividing 2 positive or negative numbers, I was told to remember...

1) A "+" times a "+" is a positive
2) A "+" times a "-" is a negative
3) A "-" times a "+" is a negative
4) A "-" times a "-" is a positive.

The same applies when dividing numbers.

Lots to remember. And statements 2 and 3 are really the same thing. So...

When multiplying or dividing 2 numbers, the first thing to do is...

IGNORE the signs.

They do not exist. For now.

For example... -2 x 3.

Treat this as 2 x 3 = 6. Then remember SS+, SD-

If the signs are the SAME (SS), your answer is positive (+). If the signs are are DIFFERENT (SD), your answer is negative (-). 

In our example, the signs are different so your answer has to be negative. Turn your answer of 6 into -6 and you are done.