What is negative 57 times negative 42? (-57 x -42)

What is negative 57 times negative 42?

57 times 42 is 2394, but what is the answer if both 57 and 42 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 57 times negative 42 is positive 2394 or negative 2394.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 57 times negative 42 is -2394 or +2394 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 -2394 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -2394 is correct by setting up the equation negative 57 times negative 42 equals negative 2394, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-57) (-42) = (-2394)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-42) :

		(-57) (-42)
		(-42)

		(-2394)
		(-42)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-42) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-57) =

		(-2394)
		(-42)

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

(-57) =

		(2394)
		(42)

A numerator of 2394 and denominator of 42 on the right side is the same as 2394 divided by 42 which is 57. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-57) = (57)

-57 is NOT equal to 57, thus we have proven that negative 57 times negative 42 is not equal to -2394. The answer must therefore be 2394:

-57 x -42 = 2394

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 57 times negative 42 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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