What is negative 1 times negative 64? (-1 x -64)

What is negative 1 times negative 64?

1 times 64 is 64, but what is the answer if both 1 and 64 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 64 is positive 64 or negative 64.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 64 is -64 or +64 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 -64 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -64 is correct by setting up the equation negative 1 times negative 64 equals negative 64, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-1) (-64) = (-64)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-64) :

		(-1) (-64)
		(-64)

		(-64)
		(-64)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-64) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-1) =

		(-64)
		(-64)

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

(-1) =

		(64)
		(64)

A numerator of 64 and denominator of 64 on the right side is the same as 64 divided by 64 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 64 is not equal to -64. The answer must therefore be 64:

-1 x -64 = 64

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 1 times negative 64 will always have a positive answer.

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