What is negative 1 times negative 73?




1 times 73 is 73, but what is the answer if both 1 and 73 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 73 is positive 73 or negative 73.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 73 is -73 or +73 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 -73 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -73 is correct by setting up the equation negative 1 times negative 73 equals negative 73, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-1) (-73) = (-73)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-73) :

   
(-1) (-73)
 
   
(-73)
 =
   
(-73)
 
   
(-73)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-73) which even each other out and can be removed:

  (-1) =
   
(-73)
 
   
(-73)

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

  (-1) =
   
(73)
 
   
(73)

A numerator of 73 and denominator of 73 on the right side is the same as 73 divided by 73 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 73 is not equal to -73. The answer must therefore be 73:

-1 x -73 = 73


The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 1 times negative 73 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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What is negative 1 times negative 74?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.


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