Identify Operation and Numbers: Identify the operation and the numbers involved. We are multiplying 2 by −4.
Apply Sign Rule: Apply the multiplication rule for signs. A positive number multiplied by a negative number results in a negative number.
Multiply Absolute Values: Multiply the absolute values of the numbers. The absolute value of 2 is 2, and the absolute value of −4 is 4. Multiplying these together gives us 8.
Apply Sign Rule to Result: Apply the sign rule from Step 2 to the result from Step 3. Since we are multiplying a positive by a negative, our result will be negative. So, 2 multiplied by −4 is −8.