78 times 57 is 4446, but what is the answer if both 78 and 57 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 78 times negative 57 is positive 4446 or negative 4446.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 78 times negative 57 is -4446 or +4446 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 -4446 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -4446 is correct by setting up the equation negative 78 times negative 57 equals negative 4446, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-78) (-57) = (-4446)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-57) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-57) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-78) = |
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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:
| (-78) = |
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A numerator of 4446 and denominator of 57 on the right side is the same as 4446 divided by 57 which is 78. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-78) = (78)
-78 is NOT equal to 78, thus we have proven that negative 78 times negative 57 is not equal to -4446. The answer must therefore be 4446:
-78 x -57 = 4446
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 78 times negative 57 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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