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.

Step 1

Write out the multiplication sentence and leave a space where you will write the product.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 4

Add an exponent of 2 if the variable is the same. For instance, x * -x = -x^2.