What is negative 16 times negative 23? (-16 x -23)

What is negative 16 times negative 23?

16 times 23 is 368, but what is the answer if both 16 and 23 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 16 times negative 23 is positive 368 or negative 368.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 16 times negative 23 is -368 or +368 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 -368 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -368 is correct by setting up the equation negative 16 times negative 23 equals negative 368, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-16) (-23) = (-368)

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

		(-16) (-23)
		(-23)

		(-368)
		(-23)

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

(-16) =

		(-368)
		(-23)

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

(-16) =

		(368)
		(23)

A numerator of 368 and denominator of 23 on the right side is the same as 368 divided by 23 which is 16. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-16) = (16)

-16 is NOT equal to 16, thus we have proven that negative 16 times negative 23 is not equal to -368. The answer must therefore be 368:

-16 x -23 = 368

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 16 times negative 23 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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What is negative 16 times negative 24?
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