70 times 71 is 4970, but what is the answer if both 70 and 71 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 70 times negative 71 is positive 4970 or negative 4970.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 70 times negative 71 is -4970 or +4970 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 -4970 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -4970 is correct by setting up the equation negative 70 times negative 71 equals negative 4970, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-70) (-71) = (-4970)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-71) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-71) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-70) = |
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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:
| (-70) = |
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A numerator of 4970 and denominator of 71 on the right side is the same as 4970 divided by 71 which is 70. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-70) = (70)
-70 is NOT equal to 70, thus we have proven that negative 70 times negative 71 is not equal to -4970. The answer must therefore be 4970:
-70 x -71 = 4970
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 70 times negative 71 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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