29 times 4 is 116, but what is the answer if both 29 and 4 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 29 times negative 4 is positive 116 or negative 116.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 29 times negative 4 is -116 or +116 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 -116 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -116 is correct by setting up the equation negative 29 times negative 4 equals negative 116, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-29) (-4) = (-116)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-4) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-4) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-29) = |
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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:
| (-29) = |
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A numerator of 116 and denominator of 4 on the right side is the same as 116 divided by 4 which is 29. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-29) = (29)
-29 is NOT equal to 29, thus we have proven that negative 29 times negative 4 is not equal to -116. The answer must therefore be 116:
-29 x -4 = 116
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 29 times negative 4 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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