7 times 10 is 70, but what is the answer if both 7 and 10 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 7 times negative 10 is positive 70 or negative 70.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 7 times negative 10 is -70 or +70 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 -70 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -70 is correct by setting up the equation negative 7 times negative 10 equals negative 70, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-7) (-10) = (-70)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-10) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-10) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-7) = |
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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:
| (-7) = |
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A numerator of 70 and denominator of 10 on the right side is the same as 70 divided by 10 which is 7. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-7) = (7)
-7 is NOT equal to 7, thus we have proven that negative 7 times negative 10 is not equal to -70. The answer must therefore be 70:
-7 x -10 = 70
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 7 times negative 10 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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