What is negative 23 times negative 43? (-23 x -43)

What is negative 23 times negative 43?

23 times 43 is 989, but what is the answer if both 23 and 43 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 23 times negative 43 is positive 989 or negative 989.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 23 times negative 43 is -989 or +989 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 -989 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -989 is correct by setting up the equation negative 23 times negative 43 equals negative 989, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-23) (-43) = (-989)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-43) :

		(-23) (-43)
		(-43)

		(-989)
		(-43)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-43) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-23) =

		(-989)
		(-43)

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

(-23) =

		(989)
		(43)

A numerator of 989 and denominator of 43 on the right side is the same as 989 divided by 43 which is 23. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-23) = (23)

-23 is NOT equal to 23, thus we have proven that negative 23 times negative 43 is not equal to -989. The answer must therefore be 989:

-23 x -43 = 989

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 23 times negative 43 will always have a positive answer.

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