7 times 23 is 161, but what is the answer if both 7 and 23 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 7 times negative 23 is positive 161 or negative 161.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 7 times negative 23 is -161 or +161 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 -161 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -161 is correct by setting up the equation negative 7 times negative 23 equals negative 161, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-7) (-23) = (-161)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-23) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-23) 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 161 and denominator of 23 on the right side is the same as 161 divided by 23 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 23 is not equal to -161. The answer must therefore be 161:
-7 x -23 = 161
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 7 times negative 23 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 7 times negative 24?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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