What is negative 72 times negative 16? (-72 x -16)

What is negative 72 times negative 16?

72 times 16 is 1152, but what is the answer if both 72 and 16 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 72 times negative 16 is positive 1152 or negative 1152.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 72 times negative 16 is -1152 or +1152 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 -1152 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -1152 is correct by setting up the equation negative 72 times negative 16 equals negative 1152, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-72) (-16) = (-1152)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-16) :

		(-72) (-16)
		(-16)

		(-1152)
		(-16)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-16) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-72) =

		(-1152)
		(-16)

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

(-72) =

		(1152)
		(16)

A numerator of 1152 and denominator of 16 on the right side is the same as 1152 divided by 16 which is 72. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-72) = (72)

-72 is NOT equal to 72, thus we have proven that negative 72 times negative 16 is not equal to -1152. The answer must therefore be 1152:

-72 x -16 = 1152

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 72 times negative 16 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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