What is negative 4 times negative 50? (-4 x -50)

What is negative 4 times negative 50?

4 times 50 is 200, but what is the answer if both 4 and 50 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 50 is positive 200 or negative 200.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 50 is -200 or +200 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 -200 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -200 is correct by setting up the equation negative 4 times negative 50 equals negative 200, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-4) (-50) = (-200)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-50) :

		(-4) (-50)
		(-50)

		(-200)
		(-50)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-50) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-4) =

		(-200)
		(-50)

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

(-4) =

		(200)
		(50)

A numerator of 200 and denominator of 50 on the right side is the same as 200 divided by 50 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 50 is not equal to -200. The answer must therefore be 200:

-4 x -50 = 200

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 4 times negative 50 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.

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