62 times 3 is 186, but what is the answer if both 62 and 3 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 62 times negative 3 is positive 186 or negative 186.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 62 times negative 3 is -186 or +186 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 -186 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -186 is correct by setting up the equation negative 62 times negative 3 equals negative 186, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-62) (-3) = (-186)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-3) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-3) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-62) = |
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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:
| (-62) = |
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A numerator of 186 and denominator of 3 on the right side is the same as 186 divided by 3 which is 62. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-62) = (62)
-62 is NOT equal to 62, thus we have proven that negative 62 times negative 3 is not equal to -186. The answer must therefore be 186:
-62 x -3 = 186
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 62 times negative 3 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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