What is negative 2 times negative 50? (-2 x -50)

What is negative 2 times negative 50?

2 times 50 is 100, but what is the answer if both 2 and 50 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 50 is positive 100 or negative 100.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 50 is -100 or +100 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 -100 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -100 is correct by setting up the equation negative 2 times negative 50 equals negative 100, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-2) (-50) = (-100)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-50) :

		(-2) (-50)
		(-50)

		(-100)
		(-50)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-50) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-2) =

		(-100)
		(-50)

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

(-2) =

		(100)
		(50)

A numerator of 100 and denominator of 50 on the right side is the same as 100 divided by 50 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 50 is not equal to -100. The answer must therefore be 100:

-2 x -50 = 100

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 2 times negative 50 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.

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