20 times 80 is 1600, but what is the answer if both 20 and 80 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 20 times negative 80 is positive 1600 or negative 1600.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 20 times negative 80 is -1600 or +1600 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 -1600 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -1600 is correct by setting up the equation negative 20 times negative 80 equals negative 1600, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-20) (-80) = (-1600)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-80) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-80) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-20) = |
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The numerator and denominator on the right side both have a minus sign (-) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-20) = |
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A numerator of 1600 and denominator of 80 on the right side is the same as 1600 divided by 80 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 80 is not equal to -1600. The answer must therefore be 1600:
-20 x -80 = 1600
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 20 times negative 80 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 20 times negative 81?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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