What is negative 4 times negative 23? (-4 x -23)

What is negative 4 times negative 23?

4 times 23 is 92, but what is the answer if both 4 and 23 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 23 is positive 92 or negative 92.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 23 is -92 or +92 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 -92 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -92 is correct by setting up the equation negative 4 times negative 23 equals negative 92, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-4) (-23) = (-92)

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

		(-4) (-23)
		(-23)

		(-92)
		(-23)

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

(-4) =

		(-92)
		(-23)

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

(-4) =

		(92)
		(23)

A numerator of 92 and denominator of 23 on the right side is the same as 92 divided by 23 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 23 is not equal to -92. The answer must therefore be 92:

-4 x -23 = 92

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 4 times negative 23 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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