48 times 4 is 192, but what is the answer if both 48 and 4 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 48 times negative 4 is positive 192 or negative 192.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 48 times negative 4 is -192 or +192 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 -192 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -192 is correct by setting up the equation negative 48 times negative 4 equals negative 192, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-48) (-4) = (-192)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-4) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-4) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-48) = |
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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:
| (-48) = |
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A numerator of 192 and denominator of 4 on the right side is the same as 192 divided by 4 which is 48. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-48) = (48)
-48 is NOT equal to 48, thus we have proven that negative 48 times negative 4 is not equal to -192. The answer must therefore be 192:
-48 x -4 = 192
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 48 times negative 4 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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