4 times 14 is 56, but what is the answer if both 4 and 14 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 14 is positive 56 or negative 56.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 14 is -56 or +56 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 -56 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -56 is correct by setting up the equation negative 4 times negative 14 equals negative 56, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-4) (-14) = (-56)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-14) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-14) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-4) = |
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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:
| (-4) = |
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A numerator of 56 and denominator of 14 on the right side is the same as 56 divided by 14 which is 4. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-4) = (4)
-4 is NOT equal to 4, thus we have proven that negative 4 times negative 14 is not equal to -56. The answer must therefore be 56:
-4 x -14 = 56
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 4 times negative 14 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 4 times negative 15?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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