What is negative 1 times negative 23? (-1 x -23)

What is negative 1 times negative 23?

1 times 23 is 23, but what is the answer if both 1 and 23 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 23 is positive 23 or negative 23.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 23 is -23 or +23 using mathematical terms such as additive inverse and mathematical laws like the Distribute Law.

We will take a different approach - process of elimination: We will simply test if -23 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -23 is correct by setting up the equation negative 1 times negative 23 equals negative 23, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-1) (-23) = (-23)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-23) :

		(-1) (-23)
		(-23)

		(-23)
		(-23)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-23) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-1) =

		(-23)
		(-23)

The numerator and denominator on the right side both have a minus sign (-) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-1) =

		(23)
		(23)

A numerator of 23 and denominator of 23 on the right side is the same as 23 divided by 23 which is 1. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-1) = (1)

-1 is NOT equal to 1, thus we have proven that negative 1 times negative 23 is not equal to -23. The answer must therefore be 23:

-1 x -23 = 23

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 1 times negative 23 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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What is negative 1 times negative 24?
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