What is negative 4 times negative 42? (-4 x -42)

What is negative 4 times negative 42?

4 times 42 is 168, but what is the answer if both 4 and 42 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 42 is positive 168 or negative 168.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 42 is -168 or +168 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 -168 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -168 is correct by setting up the equation negative 4 times negative 42 equals negative 168, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-4) (-42) = (-168)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-42) :

		(-4) (-42)
		(-42)

		(-168)
		(-42)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-42) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-4) =

		(-168)
		(-42)

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

(-4) =

		(168)
		(42)

A numerator of 168 and denominator of 42 on the right side is the same as 168 divided by 42 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 42 is not equal to -168. The answer must therefore be 168:

-4 x -42 = 168

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 4 times negative 42 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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What is negative 4 times negative 43?
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