1 times 27 is 27, but what is the answer if both 1 and 27 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 27 is positive 27 or negative 27.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 27 is -27 or +27 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 -27 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -27 is correct by setting up the equation negative 1 times negative 27 equals negative 27, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-1) (-27) = (-27)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-27) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-27) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-1) = |
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The numerator and denominator on the right side both have a minus sign (-) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-1) = |
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A numerator of 27 and denominator of 27 on the right side is the same as 27 divided by 27 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 27 is not equal to -27. The answer must therefore be 27:
-1 x -27 = 27
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 1 times negative 27 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 1 times negative 28?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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