32 times 4 is 128, but what is the answer if both 32 and 4 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 32 times negative 4 is positive 128 or negative 128.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 32 times negative 4 is -128 or +128 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 -128 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -128 is correct by setting up the equation negative 32 times negative 4 equals negative 128, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-32) (-4) = (-128)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-4) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-4) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-32) = |
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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:
| (-32) = |
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A numerator of 128 and denominator of 4 on the right side is the same as 128 divided by 4 which is 32. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-32) = (32)
-32 is NOT equal to 32, thus we have proven that negative 32 times negative 4 is not equal to -128. The answer must therefore be 128:
-32 x -4 = 128
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 32 times negative 4 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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