What is negative 1 times negative 50? (-1 x -50)

What is negative 1 times negative 50?

1 times 50 is 50, but what is the answer if both 1 and 50 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 50 is positive 50 or negative 50.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 50 is -50 or +50 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 -50 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -50 is correct by setting up the equation negative 1 times negative 50 equals negative 50, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-1) (-50) = (-50)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-50) :

		(-1) (-50)
		(-50)

		(-50)
		(-50)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-50) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-1) =

		(-50)
		(-50)

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

(-1) =

		(50)
		(50)

A numerator of 50 and denominator of 50 on the right side is the same as 50 divided by 50 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 50 is not equal to -50. The answer must therefore be 50:

-1 x -50 = 50

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 1 times negative 50 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.

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