10 times 17 is 170, but what is the answer if both 10 and 17 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 10 times negative 17 is positive 170 or negative 170.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 10 times negative 17 is -170 or +170 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 -170 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -170 is correct by setting up the equation negative 10 times negative 17 equals negative 170, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-10) (-17) = (-170)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-17) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-17) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-10) = |
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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:
| (-10) = |
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A numerator of 170 and denominator of 17 on the right side is the same as 170 divided by 17 which is 10. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-10) = (10)
-10 is NOT equal to 10, thus we have proven that negative 10 times negative 17 is not equal to -170. The answer must therefore be 170:
-10 x -17 = 170
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 10 times negative 17 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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