What is negative 2 times negative 59? (-2 x -59)

What is negative 2 times negative 59?

2 times 59 is 118, but what is the answer if both 2 and 59 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 59 is positive 118 or negative 118.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 59 is -118 or +118 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 -118 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -118 is correct by setting up the equation negative 2 times negative 59 equals negative 118, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-2) (-59) = (-118)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-59) :

		(-2) (-59)
		(-59)

		(-118)
		(-59)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-59) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-2) =

		(-118)
		(-59)

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

(-2) =

		(118)
		(59)

A numerator of 118 and denominator of 59 on the right side is the same as 118 divided by 59 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 59 is not equal to -118. The answer must therefore be 118:

-2 x -59 = 118

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 2 times negative 59 will always have a positive answer.

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