29 times 68 is 1972, but what is the answer if both 29 and 68 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 29 times negative 68 is positive 1972 or negative 1972.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 29 times negative 68 is -1972 or +1972 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 -1972 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -1972 is correct by setting up the equation negative 29 times negative 68 equals negative 1972, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-29) (-68) = (-1972)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-68) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-68) 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 1972 and denominator of 68 on the right side is the same as 1972 divided by 68 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 68 is not equal to -1972. The answer must therefore be 1972:
-29 x -68 = 1972
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 29 times negative 68 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 29 times negative 69?
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