What is negative 2 times negative 82? (-2 x -82)

What is negative 2 times negative 82?

2 times 82 is 164, but what is the answer if both 2 and 82 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 82 is positive 164 or negative 164.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 2 times negative 82 is -164 or +164 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 -164 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -164 is correct by setting up the equation negative 2 times negative 82 equals negative 164, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-2) (-82) = (-164)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-82) :

		(-2) (-82)
		(-82)

		(-164)
		(-82)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-82) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-2) =

		(-164)
		(-82)

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

(-2) =

		(164)
		(82)

A numerator of 164 and denominator of 82 on the right side is the same as 164 divided by 82 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 82 is not equal to -164. The answer must therefore be 164:

-2 x -82 = 164

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 2 times negative 82 will always have a positive answer.

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