Final answer:
The multiplication of the two negative fractions -8/12 and -3/12 results in a positive number. By multiplying the numerators and denominators respectively, and then simplifying the fraction, the final answer is 1/6.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking to perform a multiplication of two rational numbers (fractions). Specifically, we're asked to find the product of -8/12 and -3/12. According to the rules of multiplying numbers, when two negative numbers are multiplied together, the answer has a positive sign. Therefore, (-8/12) x (-3/12) will result in a positive number.
To find the value, you multiply the numerators together and the denominators together.
So, you get (-8) x (-3) for the numerator and 12 x 12 for the denominator. Simplifying, the product of -8 and -3 is 24,
and the product of 12 and 12 is 144.
Thus, the fraction is 24/144 which can be reduced by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 24.
Therefore, the simplified result is 1/6.
The multiplication of these fractions demonstrates a fundamental property of rational numbers and their operations, similar to when numbers are divided, which also follows the multiplication rules for sign.