37 times 85 is 3145, but what is the answer if both 37 and 85 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 37 times negative 85 is positive 3145 or negative 3145.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 37 times negative 85 is -3145 or +3145 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 -3145 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -3145 is correct by setting up the equation negative 37 times negative 85 equals negative 3145, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-37) (-85) = (-3145)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-85) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-85) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-37) = |
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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:
| (-37) = |
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A numerator of 3145 and denominator of 85 on the right side is the same as 3145 divided by 85 which is 37. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-37) = (37)
-37 is NOT equal to 37, thus we have proven that negative 37 times negative 85 is not equal to -3145. The answer must therefore be 3145:
-37 x -85 = 3145
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 37 times negative 85 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 37 times negative 86?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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