7 times 17 is 119, but what is the answer if both 7 and 17 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 7 times negative 17 is positive 119 or negative 119.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 7 times negative 17 is -119 or +119 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 -119 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -119 is correct by setting up the equation negative 7 times negative 17 equals negative 119, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-7) (-17) = (-119)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-17) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-17) 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 119 and denominator of 17 on the right side is the same as 119 divided by 17 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 17 is not equal to -119. The answer must therefore be 119:
-7 x -17 = 119
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 7 times negative 17 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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