1. The problem is to understand and identify negative integers. 2. Negative integers are whole numbers less than zero, represented as $-1, -2, -3, \dots$. 3. They are the opposite of positive integers and are located to the left of zero on the number line. 4. Important rules: - Negative integers are always less than zero. - Adding a negative integer is the same as subtracting its absolute value. - Multiplying two negative integers results in a positive integer. 5. Example: $-5$ is a negative integer because it is less than zero. 6. To add $-3$ and $-4$, you calculate $-3 + (-4) = -(3 + 4) = -7$. 7. To multiply $-2$ and $-3$, you calculate $-2 \times -3 = 6$. Negative integers are essential in math for representing values below zero, such as debts or temperatures below freezing.