What is negative 2 times negative 64? (-2 x -64)

What is negative 2 times negative 64?

2 times 64 is 128, but what is the answer if both 2 and 64 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 64 is positive 128 or negative 128.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 64 is -128 or +128 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 -128 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -128 is correct by setting up the equation negative 2 times negative 64 equals negative 128, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-2) (-64) = (-128)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-64) :

		(-2) (-64)
		(-64)

		(-128)
		(-64)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-64) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-2) =

		(-128)
		(-64)

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

(-2) =

		(128)
		(64)

A numerator of 128 and denominator of 64 on the right side is the same as 128 divided by 64 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 64 is not equal to -128. The answer must therefore be 128:

-2 x -64 = 128

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 2 times negative 64 will always have a positive answer.

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