What is negative 1 times negative 82? (-1 x -82)

What is negative 1 times negative 82?

1 times 82 is 82, but what is the answer if both 1 and 82 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 82 is positive 82 or negative 82.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 1 times negative 82 is -82 or +82 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 -82 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -82 is correct by setting up the equation negative 1 times negative 82 equals negative 82, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-1) (-82) = (-82)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-82) :

		(-1) (-82)
		(-82)

		(-82)
		(-82)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-82) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-1) =

		(-82)
		(-82)

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

(-1) =

		(82)
		(82)

A numerator of 82 and denominator of 82 on the right side is the same as 82 divided by 82 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 82 is not equal to -82. The answer must therefore be 82:

-1 x -82 = 82

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 1 times negative 82 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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