•  Multiplying in the Workplace • 5

 Applied Math Level 3

A negative number is a number whose value is always less than zero and has a minus (-) sign before it. On a number line, negative numbers are represented on the left side of zero.

To Multiply:

Two positives make a positive: 3 × 2 = 6

Two negatives make a positive: (−3) × (−2) = 6

A negative and a positive make a negative: (−3) × 2 = −6

A positive and a negative make a negative: 3 × (−2) = −6

Two negatives make a positive.

Word Clues for Multiplication:   

Double Triple Twice Per Product Each Same Times

Multiplication is widely used in workplace scenarios such as budgeting, inventory management, workforce scheduling, and financial analysis. Here are some engaging hands-on activities to teach Multiplying in the Workplace, along with a materials list:

Hands-On Activities

1. Scaling Production Costs
   
   

   • Activity: Participants multiply unit costs by quantity to determine total expenses.

   • Materials:

     • Cost calculation worksheets.

     • Pens and calculators.

2. Workforce Scheduling
   
   

   • Activity: Participants multiply employee hours by hourly wages to calculate payroll.

   • Materials:

     • Payroll sheets.

     • Sample employee schedules.

3. Inventory Management
   
   

   • Activity: Participants multiply stock quantities by unit prices to determine total inventory value.

   • Materials:

     • Inventory sheets.

     • Sample product labels.

4. Sales Forecasting
   
   

   • Activity: Participants multiply projected sales by unit price to estimate revenue.

   • Materials:

     • Sales tracking sheets.

     • Sample receipts.

5. Workplace Efficiency Analysis
   
   

   • Activity: Participants multiply productivity rates by work hours to assess efficiency.

   • Materials:

     • Efficiency tracking templates.

     • Pens and markers.

Materials List

• Paper: Graph paper, plain sheets, worksheets.

• Writing Tools: Pens, pencils, markers, highlighters.

• Calculators: Basic and scientific calculators.

• Scenario Cards: Pre-written real-life math problems.

• Sorting Trays: For organizing numbers and calculations.

• Budget and Payroll Templates: Printable worksheets for financial calculations.

• Inventory and Sales Sheets: Tracking templates for workplace applications.

These activities make multiplication practical and engaging in workplace scenarios. You can explore more workplace math strategies here.