6 times 73 is 438, but what is the answer if both 6 and 73 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 6 times negative 73 is positive 438 or negative 438.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 6 times negative 73 is -438 or +438 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 -438 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -438 is correct by setting up the equation negative 6 times negative 73 equals negative 438, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-6) (-73) = (-438)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-73) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-73) 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 438 and denominator of 73 on the right side is the same as 438 divided by 73 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 73 is not equal to -438. The answer must therefore be 438:
-6 x -73 = 438
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 6 times negative 73 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 74?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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