17 times 9 is 153, but what is the answer if both 17 and 9 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 17 times negative 9 is positive 153 or negative 153.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 17 times negative 9 is -153 or +153 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 -153 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -153 is correct by setting up the equation negative 17 times negative 9 equals negative 153, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-17) (-9) = (-153)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-9) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-9) 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 153 and denominator of 9 on the right side is the same as 153 divided by 9 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 9 is not equal to -153. The answer must therefore be 153:
-17 x -9 = 153
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 17 times negative 9 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 17 times negative 10?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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