What is negative 6 times negative 42? (-6 x -42)

What is negative 6 times negative 42?

6 times 42 is 252, but what is the answer if both 6 and 42 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 6 times negative 42 is positive 252 or negative 252.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 6 times negative 42 is -252 or +252 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 -252 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -252 is correct by setting up the equation negative 6 times negative 42 equals negative 252, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-6) (-42) = (-252)

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

		(-6) (-42)
		(-42)

		(-252)
		(-42)

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

(-6) =

		(-252)
		(-42)

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

(-6) =

		(252)
		(42)

A numerator of 252 and denominator of 42 on the right side is the same as 252 divided by 42 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 42 is not equal to -252. The answer must therefore be 252:

-6 x -42 = 252

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 6 times negative 42 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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