Question: 
Write a function to multiply two integers without using the * operator in python.


Model's Code:
def multiply_int(a, b):
    result = 0
    for _ in range(abs(b)):
        result += abs(a)
    return result if (a >= 0 and b >= 0) or (a < 0 and b < 0) else -result



Sample Correct Code:
def multiply_int(x, y):
    if y < 0:
        return -multiply_int(x, -y)
    elif y == 0:
        return 0
    elif y == 1:
        return x
    else:
        return x + multiply_int(x, y - 1)


Asserts:
assert multiply_int(10,20)==200
assert multiply_int(5,10)==50
assert multiply_int(4,8)==32


Tests:
Test 1 of 3: PASS
Test 2 of 3: PASS
Test 3 of 3: PASS

Test 127 of 974: 94/127 (74.01574803149606%): success