What is negative 20 times negative 5? (-20 x -5)

What is negative 20 times negative 5?

20 times 5 is 100, but what is the answer if both 20 and 5 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 20 times negative 5 is positive 100 or negative 100.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 20 times negative 5 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 20 times negative 5 equals negative 100, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-20) (-5) = (-100)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-5) :

		(-20) (-5)
		(-5)

		(-100)
		(-5)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-5) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-20) =

		(-100)
		(-5)

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

(-20) =

		(100)
		(5)

A numerator of 100 and denominator of 5 on the right side is the same as 100 divided by 5 which is 20. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-20) = (20)

-20 is NOT equal to 20, thus we have proven that negative 20 times negative 5 is not equal to -100. The answer must therefore be 100:

-20 x -5 = 100

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 20 times negative 5 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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