What is negative 5 times negative 50? (-5 x -50)

What is negative 5 times negative 50?

5 times 50 is 250, but what is the answer if both 5 and 50 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 5 times negative 50 is positive 250 or negative 250.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 5 times negative 50 is -250 or +250 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 -250 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -250 is correct by setting up the equation negative 5 times negative 50 equals negative 250, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-5) (-50) = (-250)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-50) :

		(-5) (-50)
		(-50)

		(-250)
		(-50)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-50) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-5) =

		(-250)
		(-50)

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

(-5) =

		(250)
		(50)

A numerator of 250 and denominator of 50 on the right side is the same as 250 divided by 50 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 50 is not equal to -250. The answer must therefore be 250:

-5 x -50 = 250

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 5 times negative 50 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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