What is negative 38 times negative 23? (-38 x -23)

What is negative 38 times negative 23?

38 times 23 is 874, but what is the answer if both 38 and 23 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 38 times negative 23 is positive 874 or negative 874.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 38 times negative 23 is -874 or +874 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 -874 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -874 is correct by setting up the equation negative 38 times negative 23 equals negative 874, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-38) (-23) = (-874)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-23) :

		(-38) (-23)
		(-23)

		(-874)
		(-23)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-23) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-38) =

		(-874)
		(-23)

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

(-38) =

		(874)
		(23)

A numerator of 874 and denominator of 23 on the right side is the same as 874 divided by 23 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 23 is not equal to -874. The answer must therefore be 874:

-38 x -23 = 874

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 38 times negative 23 will always have a positive answer.

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