2 times 21 is 42, but what is the answer if both 2 and 21 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 21 is positive 42 or negative 42.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 21 is -42 or +42 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 -42 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -42 is correct by setting up the equation negative 2 times negative 21 equals negative 42, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-2) (-21) = (-42)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-21) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-21) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-2) = |
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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:
| (-2) = |
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A numerator of 42 and denominator of 21 on the right side is the same as 42 divided by 21 which is 2. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-2) = (2)
-2 is NOT equal to 2, thus we have proven that negative 2 times negative 21 is not equal to -42. The answer must therefore be 42:
-2 x -21 = 42
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 2 times negative 21 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 2 times negative 22?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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