SOLUTION: Leslie is a 6th grade student that is learning how to multiply signed numbers. She encounters the following problem: “What is the sign of (-2)^15 * (-3)^10?” Leslie reaso

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: Leslie is a 6th grade student that is learning how to multiply signed numbers. She encounters the following problem: “What is the sign of (-2)^15 * (-3)^10?” Leslie reaso      Log On


   

Question 1191190: Leslie is a 6th grade student that is learning how to multiply signed numbers. She encounters the following problem:
“What is the sign of (-2)^15 * (-3)^10?”
Leslie reasons that the sign should be positive since we are multiplying two negative numbers. Is Leslie correct? If so, help her justify her reasoning. If not, provide a conceptual explanation that she can understand.
Found 2 solutions by Edwin McCravy, greenestamps:
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20059) About Me  (Show Source):
Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
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No; Leslie is not right.

In this expression we are NOT multiplying TWO negative numbers -- we are multiplying 15+10=25 negative numbers.

Since the number of negative numbers being multiplied is odd, the sign of the product is negative.