What is negative 12 times negative 23? (-12 x -23)

What is negative 12 times negative 23?

12 times 23 is 276, but what is the answer if both 12 and 23 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 12 times negative 23 is positive 276 or negative 276.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 12 times negative 23 is -276 or +276 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 -276 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -276 is correct by setting up the equation negative 12 times negative 23 equals negative 276, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-12) (-23) = (-276)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-23) :

		(-12) (-23)
		(-23)

		(-276)
		(-23)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-23) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-12) =

		(-276)
		(-23)

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

(-12) =

		(276)
		(23)

A numerator of 276 and denominator of 23 on the right side is the same as 276 divided by 23 which is 12. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-12) = (12)

-12 is NOT equal to 12, thus we have proven that negative 12 times negative 23 is not equal to -276. The answer must therefore be 276:

-12 x -23 = 276

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 12 times negative 23 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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What is negative 12 times negative 24?
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