A C T I V I T Y No.

5
Type of Activity : Concept Notes
Activity Title : MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION OF INTEGERS
Learning Competency : The learner performs fundamental operations on integers. (M7NS-Ic-d-1)
Learning Target : To multiply and divide integers
Reference : Grade 7 Math Lesson 4.3

We learned that with whole numbers, multiplication is a repeated addition. For example, 4x3
means three groups of 4. Or putting it into real context, 3 cars with 4 passengers each, how many
passengers in all? Thus, 4 x 3 = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12
We extend this definition to multiplication of a negative integer by a positive integer. Consider the
situation when a boy loses ₱6 for 3 consecutive days. His total loss for three days is (-6) x3. Hence, we
could have (-6) x 3= (-6) + (-6) + (-6) = -18. One number multiplied by another is called a product.
On the other hand, division is the inverse operation of multiplication. It’s defined as multiplication
by a reciprocal. One number divided by another is called a quotient.
In multiplying and dividing integers, the same rules are followed in terms of the sign of the
product or quotient.
EXAMPLES:
MULTIPLICATION DIVISION
2x3=6 8÷4=2
(–2) x (–3) = 6 (–8) ÷ (–4) = 2
(–2) x 3 = –6 (–8) ÷ 4 = –2
2 x (–3) =– 6 8÷ (–4) = –2
Rules in Multiplying/Dividing Integers:
1. If the integers have the same sign, their product/quotient is positive.
2. If the integers have different signs, their product/quotient is negative.
In multiplying/dividing series of integers:
1. The product/quotient is positive if the number of negative integers is even.
2. The product/quotient is negative if the number of negative integers is odd.
EXAMPLES:
Multiply (2)( –3)( –1)(4)( –5) = -120; the sign of the product is negative since there is an odd
number of factors.
Divide (–10 ÷ 2) ÷ (–5) = 1; the sign of the quotient is positive since there is an even number of
negative integers.
EXERCISES:
A. Find the product of the following.

1. (5)(12) 4. (-8)(4)
2. (-10)(-6) 5. (-5)(3)(2)
3. (9)(-7) 6. (-7)(4)(-2)(5)(-6)
B. Find the quotient of the following.

1. 72 (-6) 4. 18 (-6)
2. 20 5 5. (-72) (-8)
3. (-252) 7 6. (-56) (-8)