17 times 5 is 85, but what is the answer if both 17 and 5 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 17 times negative 5 is positive 85 or negative 85.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 17 times negative 5 is -85 or +85 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 -85 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -85 is correct by setting up the equation negative 17 times negative 5 equals negative 85, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-17) (-5) = (-85)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-5) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-5) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-17) = |
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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:
| (-17) = |
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A numerator of 85 and denominator of 5 on the right side is the same as 85 divided by 5 which is 17. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-17) = (17)
-17 is NOT equal to 17, thus we have proven that negative 17 times negative 5 is not equal to -85. The answer must therefore be 85:
-17 x -5 = 85
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 17 times negative 5 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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