4 times 36 is 144, but what is the answer if both 4 and 36 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 36 is positive 144 or negative 144.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 36 is -144 or +144 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 -144 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -144 is correct by setting up the equation negative 4 times negative 36 equals negative 144, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-4) (-36) = (-144)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-36) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-36) 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 144 and denominator of 36 on the right side is the same as 144 divided by 36 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 36 is not equal to -144. The answer must therefore be 144:
-4 x -36 = 144
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 4 times negative 36 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 37?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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