6 times 71 is 426, but what is the answer if both 6 and 71 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 6 times negative 71 is positive 426 or negative 426.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 6 times negative 71 is -426 or +426 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 -426 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -426 is correct by setting up the equation negative 6 times negative 71 equals negative 426, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-6) (-71) = (-426)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-71) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-71) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-6) = |
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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:
| (-6) = |
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A numerator of 426 and denominator of 71 on the right side is the same as 426 divided by 71 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 71 is not equal to -426. The answer must therefore be 426:
-6 x -71 = 426
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 6 times negative 71 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 6 times negative 72?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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