What is negative 2 times negative 32? (-2 x -32)

What is negative 2 times negative 32?

2 times 32 is 64, but what is the answer if both 2 and 32 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 32 is positive 64 or negative 64.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 32 is -64 or +64 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 -64 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -64 is correct by setting up the equation negative 2 times negative 32 equals negative 64, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-2) (-32) = (-64)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-32) :

		(-2) (-32)
		(-32)

		(-64)
		(-32)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-32) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-2) =

		(-64)
		(-32)

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

(-2) =

		(64)
		(32)

A numerator of 64 and denominator of 32 on the right side is the same as 64 divided by 32 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 32 is not equal to -64. The answer must therefore be 64:

-2 x -32 = 64

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 2 times negative 32 will always have a positive answer.

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