To solve the expression, we'll follow the rules of multiplication, especially noting the rules for multiplying negative numbers:
When we multiply two negative numbers, the result is positive.
When we multiply a positive number by a negative number, the result is negative.
Given the expression:
-0.4 x -0.5 x -1
First, we'll multiply the first two terms:
-0.4 x -0.5
-0.4 is negative and -0.5 is negative, so the result of their multiplication will be a positive number.
Let's multiply their absolute values:
0.4 x 0.5 = 0.20
This gives us a positive result, so now we have:
+0.20 x -1
Now we multiply a positive number (0.20) by a negative number (-1):
0.20 x -1 = -0.20 (A positive times a negative yields a negative product.)
Therefore, the value of the expression -0.4 x -0.5 x -1 is -0.20.