74 times 21 is 1554, but what is the answer if both 74 and 21 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 74 times negative 21 is positive 1554 or negative 1554.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 74 times negative 21 is -1554 or +1554 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 -1554 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -1554 is correct by setting up the equation negative 74 times negative 21 equals negative 1554, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-74) (-21) = (-1554)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-21) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-21) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-74) = |
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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:
| (-74) = |
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A numerator of 1554 and denominator of 21 on the right side is the same as 1554 divided by 21 which is 74. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-74) = (74)
-74 is NOT equal to 74, thus we have proven that negative 74 times negative 21 is not equal to -1554. The answer must therefore be 1554:
-74 x -21 = 1554
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 74 times negative 21 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 74 times negative 22?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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