What is negative 6 times negative 23? (-6 x -23)

What is negative 6 times negative 23?

6 times 23 is 138, but what is the answer if both 6 and 23 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 6 times negative 23 is positive 138 or negative 138.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 6 times negative 23 is -138 or +138 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 -138 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -138 is correct by setting up the equation negative 6 times negative 23 equals negative 138, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-6) (-23) = (-138)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-23) :

		(-6) (-23)
		(-23)

		(-138)
		(-23)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-23) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-6) =

		(-138)
		(-23)

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

(-6) =

		(138)
		(23)

A numerator of 138 and denominator of 23 on the right side is the same as 138 divided by 23 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 23 is not equal to -138. The answer must therefore be 138:

-6 x -23 = 138

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 6 times negative 23 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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