41 times 39 is 1599, but what is the answer if both 41 and 39 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 41 times negative 39 is positive 1599 or negative 1599.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 41 times negative 39 is -1599 or +1599 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 -1599 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -1599 is correct by setting up the equation negative 41 times negative 39 equals negative 1599, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-41) (-39) = (-1599)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-39) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-39) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-41) = |
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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:
| (-41) = |
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A numerator of 1599 and denominator of 39 on the right side is the same as 1599 divided by 39 which is 41. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-41) = (41)
-41 is NOT equal to 41, thus we have proven that negative 41 times negative 39 is not equal to -1599. The answer must therefore be 1599:
-41 x -39 = 1599
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 41 times negative 39 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 41 times negative 40?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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