77 times 1 is 77, but what is the answer if both 77 and 1 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 77 times negative 1 is positive 77 or negative 77.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 77 times negative 1 is -77 or +77 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 -77 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -77 is correct by setting up the equation negative 77 times negative 1 equals negative 77, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-77) (-1) = (-77)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-1) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-1) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-77) = |
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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:
| (-77) = |
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A numerator of 77 and denominator of 1 on the right side is the same as 77 divided by 1 which is 77. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-77) = (77)
-77 is NOT equal to 77, thus we have proven that negative 77 times negative 1 is not equal to -77. The answer must therefore be 77:
-77 x -1 = 77
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 77 times negative 1 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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