What is negative 41 times negative 42? (-41 x -42)

What is negative 41 times negative 42?

41 times 42 is 1722, but what is the answer if both 41 and 42 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 41 times negative 42 is positive 1722 or negative 1722.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 41 times negative 42 is -1722 or +1722 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 -1722 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -1722 is correct by setting up the equation negative 41 times negative 42 equals negative 1722, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-41) (-42) = (-1722)

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

		(-41) (-42)
		(-42)

		(-1722)
		(-42)

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

(-41) =

		(-1722)
		(-42)

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

(-41) =

		(1722)
		(42)

A numerator of 1722 and denominator of 42 on the right side is the same as 1722 divided by 42 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 42 is not equal to -1722. The answer must therefore be 1722:

-41 x -42 = 1722

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 41 times negative 42 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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