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How to Multiply a Negative Variable With a Positive Variable

If you see a letter included in a mathematical equation, you are looking at what is referred to as a "variable." Variables are letters that are used to represent varying numerical amounts. Variables can be negative or positive in nature. Learn to manipulate variables in a variety of ways if you take a high school or college algebra or calculus course. Follow certain rules if you are multiplying a positive and a negative variable.

Instructions

- 1
  Write out the multiplication sentence and leave a space where you will write the product.
- 2
  Write both of the variables in the product if the variables are different. If the variables are the same letters, write that variable once in the product. For example, x * y would be xy, and x * x would be x in the first step of writing the product.
- 3
  Add a negative sign to the answer. A negative variable times a positive variable will produce a negative product. For example, -x * y = -xy.
- 4
  Add an exponent of 2 if the variable is the same. For instance, x * -x = -x^2.

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