1 times 4 is 4, but what is the answer if both 1 and 4 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 4 is positive 4 or negative 4.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 4 is -4 or +4 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 -4 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -4 is correct by setting up the equation negative 1 times negative 4 equals negative 4, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-1) (-4) = (-4)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-4) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-4) 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 4 and denominator of 4 on the right side is the same as 4 divided by 4 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 4 is not equal to -4. The answer must therefore be 4:
-1 x -4 = 4
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 1 times negative 4 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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