What is negative 6 times negative 12?




6 times 12 is 72, but what is the answer if both 6 and 12 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 6 times negative 12 is positive 72 or negative 72.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 6 times negative 12 is -72 or +72 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 -72 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -72 is correct by setting up the equation negative 6 times negative 12 equals negative 72, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-6) (-12) = (-72)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-12) :

   
(-6) (-12)
 
   
(-12)
 =
   
(-72)
 
   
(-12)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-12) which even each other out and can be removed:

  (-6) =
   
(-72)
 
   
(-12)

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

  (-6) =
   
(72)
 
   
(12)

A numerator of 72 and denominator of 12 on the right side is the same as 72 divided by 12 which is 6. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-6) = (6)

-6 is NOT equal to 6, thus we have proven that negative 6 times negative 12 is not equal to -72. The answer must therefore be 72:

-6 x -12 = 72


The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 6 times negative 12 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.

  x 


What is negative 6 times negative 13?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.


Copyright  |   Privacy Policy  |   Disclaimer  |   Contact