3 times 89 is 267, but what is the answer if both 3 and 89 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 3 times negative 89 is positive 267 or negative 267.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 3 times negative 89 is -267 or +267 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 -267 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -267 is correct by setting up the equation negative 3 times negative 89 equals negative 267, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-3) (-89) = (-267)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-89) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-89) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-3) = |
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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:
| (-3) = |
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A numerator of 267 and denominator of 89 on the right side is the same as 267 divided by 89 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 89 is not equal to -267. The answer must therefore be 267:
-3 x -89 = 267
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 3 times negative 89 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 3 times negative 90?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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