79 times 98 is 7742, but what is the answer if both 79 and 98 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 79 times negative 98 is positive 7742 or negative 7742.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 79 times negative 98 is -7742 or +7742 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 -7742 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -7742 is correct by setting up the equation negative 79 times negative 98 equals negative 7742, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-79) (-98) = (-7742)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-98) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-98) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-79) = |
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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:
| (-79) = |
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A numerator of 7742 and denominator of 98 on the right side is the same as 7742 divided by 98 which is 79. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-79) = (79)
-79 is NOT equal to 79, thus we have proven that negative 79 times negative 98 is not equal to -7742. The answer must therefore be 7742:
-79 x -98 = 7742
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 79 times negative 98 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 79 times negative 99?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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