math algebra

hi megan. Rather than give you a simple answer to a simple question I'll explain the process. You know what 3 times 9 is, right? When multiplying two numbers where one or both are negative numbers you look at the number of negative signs. If it's even (0 or 2) then the answer is positive. If it's odd (1) then the answer is negative.

Also, the ( )( ) format is shorthand for multiply.

You have one negative number in your problem (-9) so you know the answer will be negative. Just apply the negative sign to the answer to 3 times 9 and you're done.

A different example:

(3)(6) = 18
(-3)(6) = -18
(3)(-6) = -18
(-3)(-6) = 18