What is negative 2 times negative 72? (-2 x -72)

What is negative 2 times negative 72?

2 times 72 is 144, but what is the answer if both 2 and 72 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 72 is positive 144 or negative 144.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 72 is -144 or +144 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 -144 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -144 is correct by setting up the equation negative 2 times negative 72 equals negative 144, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-2) (-72) = (-144)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-72) :

		(-2) (-72)
		(-72)

		(-144)
		(-72)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-72) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-2) =

		(-144)
		(-72)

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

(-2) =

		(144)
		(72)

A numerator of 144 and denominator of 72 on the right side is the same as 144 divided by 72 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 72 is not equal to -144. The answer must therefore be 144:

-2 x -72 = 144

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 2 times negative 72 will always have a positive answer.

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