14 times 4 is 56, but what is the answer if both 14 and 4 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 14 times negative 4 is positive 56 or negative 56.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 14 times negative 4 is -56 or +56 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 -56 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -56 is correct by setting up the equation negative 14 times negative 4 equals negative 56, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-14) (-4) = (-56)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-4) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-4) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-14) = |
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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:
| (-14) = |
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A numerator of 56 and denominator of 4 on the right side is the same as 56 divided by 4 which is 14. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-14) = (14)
-14 is NOT equal to 14, thus we have proven that negative 14 times negative 4 is not equal to -56. The answer must therefore be 56:
-14 x -4 = 56
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 14 times negative 4 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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