What is negative 4 times negative 64? (-4 x -64)

What is negative 4 times negative 64?

4 times 64 is 256, but what is the answer if both 4 and 64 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 64 is positive 256 or negative 256.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 4 times negative 64 is -256 or +256 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 -256 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -256 is correct by setting up the equation negative 4 times negative 64 equals negative 256, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-4) (-64) = (-256)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-64) :

		(-4) (-64)
		(-64)

		(-256)
		(-64)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-64) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-4) =

		(-256)
		(-64)

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

(-4) =

		(256)
		(64)

A numerator of 256 and denominator of 64 on the right side is the same as 256 divided by 64 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 64 is not equal to -256. The answer must therefore be 256:

-4 x -64 = 256

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 4 times negative 64 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 65?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.