What is negative 21 times negative 59? (-21 x -59)

What is negative 21 times negative 59?

21 times 59 is 1239, but what is the answer if both 21 and 59 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 21 times negative 59 is positive 1239 or negative 1239.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 21 times negative 59 is -1239 or +1239 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 -1239 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -1239 is correct by setting up the equation negative 21 times negative 59 equals negative 1239, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-21) (-59) = (-1239)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-59) :

		(-21) (-59)
		(-59)

		(-1239)
		(-59)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-59) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-21) =

		(-1239)
		(-59)

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

(-21) =

		(1239)
		(59)

A numerator of 1239 and denominator of 59 on the right side is the same as 1239 divided by 59 which is 21. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-21) = (21)

-21 is NOT equal to 21, thus we have proven that negative 21 times negative 59 is not equal to -1239. The answer must therefore be 1239:

-21 x -59 = 1239

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 21 times negative 59 will always have a positive answer.

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