The following is the notation, verbalization, and illustration for multiplying a positive by a positive, negative by a positive, positive by a negative, and negative by a negative using the Mortensen more than Math method applied in the Problem Solving strand Level 4. The notation for each problem is read and verbalized from left to right and the rectangle is then built and or drawn in accordance with the language. With this method the symbols are given meaning and as a result there is no need for students to memorize rules in order to find the answer.
PROBLEM 1 (+)(+)
PROBLEM 3 (+)(-)
PROBLEM 4 (-)(-)
