What is negative 3 times negative 23? (-3 x -23)

What is negative 3 times negative 23?

3 times 23 is 69, but what is the answer if both 3 and 23 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 3 times negative 23 is positive 69 or negative 69.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 3 times negative 23 is -69 or +69 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 -69 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -69 is correct by setting up the equation negative 3 times negative 23 equals negative 69, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-3) (-23) = (-69)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-23) :

		(-3) (-23)
		(-23)

		(-69)
		(-23)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-23) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-3) =

		(-69)
		(-23)

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

(-3) =

		(69)
		(23)

A numerator of 69 and denominator of 23 on the right side is the same as 69 divided by 23 which is 3. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-3) = (3)

-3 is NOT equal to 3, thus we have proven that negative 3 times negative 23 is not equal to -69. The answer must therefore be 69:

-3 x -23 = 69

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 3 times negative 23 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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