Read the following prompt and type your response in the space provided.

Question

Explain how to model the multiplication of 3 and ‒4 on a number line.

Question 1 options:

Answer 1

To model the multiplication of 3 and -4 on a number line, we can follow these steps:

1. Start by drawing a horizontal line. This will be our number line.

2. Mark a point on the line labeled as zero (0). This represents the origin or starting point.

3. Next, locate the point representing the number 3. Label it on the number line.

4. To account for the negative sign of -4, move in the opposite direction, to the left of the point representing 3.

5. Determine the distance between the point representing 3 and the point representing -4. Since -4 is 4 units away from 0, we will need to measure 4 units to the left of the point representing 3.

6. Mark a point on the number line, 4 units to the left of the point representing 3. Label this point as -4.

7. Connect the point representing 3 and the point representing -4 with a line segment.

8. Finally, label this line segment as the product of 3 and -4, which is -12.

By following these steps, we have successfully modeled the multiplication of 3 and -4 on a number line, representing it as -12.