Mathematics ACT Aspire Practice Test

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Study for the Mathematics ACT Aspire Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to boost your exam readiness. Ace your math test effortlessly!

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When multiplying two integers with different signs, what is the result?

The result will be positive
The result will be negative
The result will be zero
There is no result

The correct answer is: The result will be negative

When multiplying two integers that have different signs, the result is negative. This is because the multiplication of a positive number by a negative number reflects the concept of losing that many units, which gives a negative outcome. For example, if you multiply 5 (a positive integer) by -3 (a negative integer), you are essentially taking away three groups of five, which results in -15. In contrast, multiplying two integers with the same sign, whether both positive or both negative, yields a positive result, and multiplying any number by zero results in zero. Therefore, the scenario described in the question—where one integer is positive and the other is negative—leads directly to a negative result. Thus, the conclusion that the result will be negative is consistent with the rules of signs in multiplication.