7 times 26 is 182, but what is the answer if both 7 and 26 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 7 times negative 26 is positive 182 or negative 182.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 7 times negative 26 is -182 or +182 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 -182 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -182 is correct by setting up the equation negative 7 times negative 26 equals negative 182, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-7) (-26) = (-182)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-26) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-26) 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 182 and denominator of 26 on the right side is the same as 182 divided by 26 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 26 is not equal to -182. The answer must therefore be 182:
-7 x -26 = 182
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 7 times negative 26 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 27?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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