29 times 85 is 2465, but what is the answer if both 29 and 85 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 29 times negative 85 is positive 2465 or negative 2465.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 29 times negative 85 is -2465 or +2465 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 -2465 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -2465 is correct by setting up the equation negative 29 times negative 85 equals negative 2465, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-29) (-85) = (-2465)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-85) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-85) 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 2465 and denominator of 85 on the right side is the same as 2465 divided by 85 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 85 is not equal to -2465. The answer must therefore be 2465:
-29 x -85 = 2465
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 29 times negative 85 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 86?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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