38 times 17 is 646, but what is the answer if both 38 and 17 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 38 times negative 17 is positive 646 or negative 646.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 38 times negative 17 is -646 or +646 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 -646 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -646 is correct by setting up the equation negative 38 times negative 17 equals negative 646, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-38) (-17) = (-646)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-17) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-17) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-38) = |
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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:
| (-38) = |
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A numerator of 646 and denominator of 17 on the right side is the same as 646 divided by 17 which is 38. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-38) = (38)
-38 is NOT equal to 38, thus we have proven that negative 38 times negative 17 is not equal to -646. The answer must therefore be 646:
-38 x -17 = 646
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 38 times negative 17 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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