What is negative 8 times negative 20? (-8 x -20)

What is negative 8 times negative 20?

8 times 20 is 160, but what is the answer if both 8 and 20 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 8 times negative 20 is positive 160 or negative 160.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 8 times negative 20 is -160 or +160 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 -160 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -160 is correct by setting up the equation negative 8 times negative 20 equals negative 160, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-8) (-20) = (-160)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-20) :

		(-8) (-20)
		(-20)

		(-160)
		(-20)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-20) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-8) =

		(-160)
		(-20)

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

(-8) =

		(160)
		(20)

A numerator of 160 and denominator of 20 on the right side is the same as 160 divided by 20 which is 8. Now we end up with this untrue equation:

(-8) = (8)

-8 is NOT equal to 8, thus we have proven that negative 8 times negative 20 is not equal to -160. The answer must therefore be 160:

-8 x -20 = 160

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 8 times negative 20 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.

What is negative 8 times negative 21?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.