1 times 74 is 74, but what is the answer if both 1 and 74 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 74 is positive 74 or negative 74.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 74 is -74 or +74 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 -74 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -74 is correct by setting up the equation negative 1 times negative 74 equals negative 74, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-1) (-74) = (-74)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-74) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-74) 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 74 and denominator of 74 on the right side is the same as 74 divided by 74 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 74 is not equal to -74. The answer must therefore be 74:
-1 x -74 = 74
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 1 times negative 74 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 75?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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