What is negative 3 times negative 50? (-3 x -50)

What is negative 3 times negative 50?

3 times 50 is 150, but what is the answer if both 3 and 50 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 3 times negative 50 is positive 150 or negative 150.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 3 times negative 50 is -150 or +150 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 -150 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -150 is correct by setting up the equation negative 3 times negative 50 equals negative 150, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-3) (-50) = (-150)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-50) :

		(-3) (-50)
		(-50)

		(-150)
		(-50)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-50) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-3) =

		(-150)
		(-50)

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

(-3) =

		(150)
		(50)

A numerator of 150 and denominator of 50 on the right side is the same as 150 divided by 50 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 50 is not equal to -150. The answer must therefore be 150:

-3 x -50 = 150

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 3 times negative 50 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.

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