50 times 17 is 850, but what is the answer if both 50 and 17 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 50 times negative 17 is positive 850 or negative 850.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 50 times negative 17 is -850 or +850 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 -850 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -850 is correct by setting up the equation negative 50 times negative 17 equals negative 850, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-50) (-17) = (-850)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-17) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-17) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-50) = |
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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:
| (-50) = |
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A numerator of 850 and denominator of 17 on the right side is the same as 850 divided by 17 which is 50. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-50) = (50)
-50 is NOT equal to 50, thus we have proven that negative 50 times negative 17 is not equal to -850. The answer must therefore be 850:
-50 x -17 = 850
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 50 times negative 17 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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