5 times 79 is 395, but what is the answer if both 5 and 79 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 5 times negative 79 is positive 395 or negative 395.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 5 times negative 79 is -395 or +395 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 -395 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -395 is correct by setting up the equation negative 5 times negative 79 equals negative 395, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-5) (-79) = (-395)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-79) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-79) 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 395 and denominator of 79 on the right side is the same as 395 divided by 79 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 79 is not equal to -395. The answer must therefore be 395:
-5 x -79 = 395
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 5 times negative 79 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 80?
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