What is negative 2 times negative 42? (-2 x -42)

What is negative 2 times negative 42?

2 times 42 is 84, but what is the answer if both 2 and 42 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 42 is positive 84 or negative 84.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 42 is -84 or +84 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 -84 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -84 is correct by setting up the equation negative 2 times negative 42 equals negative 84, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-2) (-42) = (-84)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-42) :

		(-2) (-42)
		(-42)

		(-84)
		(-42)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-42) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-2) =

		(-84)
		(-42)

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

(-2) =

		(84)
		(42)

A numerator of 84 and denominator of 42 on the right side is the same as 84 divided by 42 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 42 is not equal to -84. The answer must therefore be 84:

-2 x -42 = 84

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 2 times negative 42 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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