5 times 4 is 20, but what is the answer if both 5 and 4 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 5 times negative 4 is positive 20 or negative 20.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 5 times negative 4 is -20 or +20 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 -20 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -20 is correct by setting up the equation negative 5 times negative 4 equals negative 20, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-5) (-4) = (-20)
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:
| (-5) = |
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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:
| (-5) = |
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A numerator of 20 and denominator of 4 on the right side is the same as 20 divided by 4 which is 5. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-5) = (5)
-5 is NOT equal to 5, thus we have proven that negative 5 times negative 4 is not equal to -20. The answer must therefore be 20:
-5 x -4 = 20
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 5 times negative 4 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 5 times negative 5?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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