15 times 26 is 390, but what is the answer if both 15 and 26 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 15 times negative 26 is positive 390 or negative 390.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 15 times negative 26 is -390 or +390 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 -390 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -390 is correct by setting up the equation negative 15 times negative 26 equals negative 390, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-15) (-26) = (-390)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-26) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-26) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-15) = |
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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:
| (-15) = |
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A numerator of 390 and denominator of 26 on the right side is the same as 390 divided by 26 which is 15. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-15) = (15)
-15 is NOT equal to 15, thus we have proven that negative 15 times negative 26 is not equal to -390. The answer must therefore be 390:
-15 x -26 = 390
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 15 times negative 26 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 15 times negative 27?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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