1 times 60 is 60, but what is the answer if both 1 and 60 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 60 is positive 60 or negative 60.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 60 is -60 or +60 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 -60 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -60 is correct by setting up the equation negative 1 times negative 60 equals negative 60, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-1) (-60) = (-60)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-60) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-60) 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 60 and denominator of 60 on the right side is the same as 60 divided by 60 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 60 is not equal to -60. The answer must therefore be 60:
-1 x -60 = 60
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 1 times negative 60 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 61?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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