What is negative 7 times negative 7?




7 times 7 is 49, but what is the answer if both 7 and 7 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 7 times negative 7 is positive 49 or negative 49.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 7 times negative 7 is -49 or +49 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 -49 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -49 is correct by setting up the equation negative 7 times negative 7 equals negative 49, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-7) (-7) = (-49)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-7) :

   
(-7) (-7)
 
   
(-7)
 =
   
(-49)
 
   
(-7)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-7) which even each other out and can be removed:

  (-7) =
   
(-49)
 
   
(-7)

The numerator and denominator on the right side both have a minus sign (-) which even each other out and can be removed:

  (-7) =
   
(49)
 
   
(7)

A numerator of 49 and denominator of 7 on the right side is the same as 49 divided by 7 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 7 is not equal to -49. The answer must therefore be 49:

-7 x -7 = 49


The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 7 times negative 7 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.

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What is negative 7 times negative 8?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.


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