Math Assignment
Grade 7

Typically in math education, students are only taught integer multiplication through a set of rules. They are told to memorize the following in order to solve integer multiplication problems:

positive x positive =positive
negative x positive = negative
positive x negative = negative
negative x negative = positive

Never do they learn why these results occur when you multiply negative and positive integers. They are never taught to explore the reason why a negative multiplied by a negative would result in a positive value.

In the 7th grade class here at LePort, students first discovered the conceptual explanation behind the integer multiplication rules by exploring a few different, real-life examples in class. After, students were asked to apply their conceptual understanding to their own original, real-life situation.

Students were specifically asked to write two separate responses using the following prompts:

1. Describe a real-life situation that shows why a negative number times a positive number yields a negative result.
2. Describe a real-life situation that shows why a negative number times a negative number yields a negative result.

A conceptual understanding of the relationship between positive and negative integers is central to the completion of this assignment. Here, students use that deep understanding to creatively explore how these “rules” are connected with real-life situations.