What is negative 3 times negative 42? (-3 x -42)

What is negative 3 times negative 42?

3 times 42 is 126, but what is the answer if both 3 and 42 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 3 times negative 42 is positive 126 or negative 126.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 3 times negative 42 is -126 or +126 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 -126 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -126 is correct by setting up the equation negative 3 times negative 42 equals negative 126, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-3) (-42) = (-126)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-42) :

		(-3) (-42)
		(-42)

		(-126)
		(-42)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-42) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-3) =

		(-126)
		(-42)

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

(-3) =

		(126)
		(42)

A numerator of 126 and denominator of 42 on the right side is the same as 126 divided by 42 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 42 is not equal to -126. The answer must therefore be 126:

-3 x -42 = 126

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 3 times negative 42 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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What is negative 3 times negative 43?
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