1 times 31 is 31, but what is the answer if both 1 and 31 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 31 is positive 31 or negative 31.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 31 is -31 or +31 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 -31 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -31 is correct by setting up the equation negative 1 times negative 31 equals negative 31, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-1) (-31) = (-31)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-31) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-31) 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 31 and denominator of 31 on the right side is the same as 31 divided by 31 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 31 is not equal to -31. The answer must therefore be 31:
-1 x -31 = 31
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 1 times negative 31 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 32?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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