11 times 11 is 121, but what is the answer if both 11 and 11 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 11 times negative 11 is positive 121 or negative 121.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 11 times negative 11 is -121 or +121 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 -121 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -121 is correct by setting up the equation negative 11 times negative 11 equals negative 121, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-11) (-11) = (-121)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-11) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-11) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-11) = |
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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:
| (-11) = |
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A numerator of 121 and denominator of 11 on the right side is the same as 121 divided by 11 which is 11. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-11) = (11)
-11 is NOT equal to 11, thus we have proven that negative 11 times negative 11 is not equal to -121. The answer must therefore be 121:
-11 x -11 = 121
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 11 times negative 11 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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