math facts game MathRider

The smartest and friendliest way to master math facts

  • Mathrider
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Game Play
    • System Requirements
    • FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
    • Horse Riding Game
  • Reviews
  • Buy Now
  • Blog
  • Contact

Proving Negative Times Negative Equals Positive With Blocks

July 24, 2013 by: James Rheine.

share
share
tweet
default image
July 24, 2013 by James Rheine.
share
share
tweet

There was a time when learning math was an exercise in tediousness. Thankfully, there are educators who come up with the most fun and creative ways to teach and illustrate mathematics. So how about the following video in which we get a visual demonstration why negative times negative must be positive.

Learning that negative times negative equals positive the fun way

Take Mike Lawler, for example. With his TwitterMath series on his YouTube Channel, he demonstrates certain math principles in a very entertaining way. In this case, he shows kids that a negative times negative is a positive. The fun part comes in when he makes use of colorful blocks to illustrate the principle and once again answer the question, “why is negative times negative positive?”.

For many of us, the principle of multiplying negative times negative yielding a positive has been learned practically eons ago. Lawler’s video, however, proves to us yet again the validity of the principle, and in a very fun way no less.

Math Principles Proven Again and Again

This only goes to show that any given mathematical principle can be proven over and over again in other contexts. Many of us are visual learners – especially younger children. So seeing (-2) x (-2) expressed with (missing) building blocks is a winner, especially when that principle is re-proven again and again as they grow up.

One thing worth noting is the fact that in this video, Lawler has in effect connected the negative times negative equals positive principle with the distributive property, which is yet another principle of mathematics. This just shows how good a teacher he is, and it is something that most math teachers should incorporate into their teaching: the ability to make students see an entirely different picture by connecting something they already know with things that they have yet to learn.

Watch the video below and see how it’s done.

Do you have any favorite examples of how people have illustrated negative number multiplication?

Related Posts

Changing the Negative Attitude Towards Learning Math
Changing the Negative Attitude Towards Learning Math
The best advice for being in a positive frame of mind
The best advice for being in a positive frame of mind
Multiplication table
A Quick Way to Remember the 13 Times Table
8 Videos That Prove Math Is Awesome
8 Videos That Prove Math Is Awesome

Does MathRider Really Work?

You Be The Judge!

math rider free 7 day trial

See how much your child enjoys practising their math facts using MathRider and witness the improvement first-hand!

Use the form below and start your free 7-day trial of the full-featured software.

Take the pain and anxiety out of memorizing math facts today!

Click here for more details

Latest Posts

  • Historical moments that happened because of math 10 Historical Moments That Happened Because of Math
  • math rider award MathRider Wins 2021 Blue Ribbon Award from The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine Review Crew
  • Rules for a great life Five Rules for a Great Life
  • child with high self esteem Words that Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem

Most Popular

  • child playing video games Effects of Video Games on Child Development – The Good and the Bad
  • Historical moments that happened because of math 10 Historical Moments That Happened Because of Math
  • child helping with chores Why Kids Don’t Do Chores
  • Multiplication table A Quick Way to Remember the 13 Times Table

Topics

arithmetic children's health confidence deal with bullying education help children find their calling help children learn homework how to motivate kids learning master math math facts math fun math in real life parenting positive attitude for kids school work self-esteem times tables help
math game background
Copyright © 2023 Sharper Edge International Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

MathRider - Innovative Mathematics Games for Kids

  • Privacy Policy
  • |
  • Terms of Use
  • |
  • Eula
  • |
  • Affiliates
   Find us on Facebook