What is negative 8 times negative 23? (-8 x -23)

What is negative 8 times negative 23?

8 times 23 is 184, but what is the answer if both 8 and 23 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 8 times negative 23 is positive 184 or negative 184.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 8 times negative 23 is -184 or +184 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 -184 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -184 is correct by setting up the equation negative 8 times negative 23 equals negative 184, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-8) (-23) = (-184)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-23) :

		(-8) (-23)
		(-23)

		(-184)
		(-23)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-23) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-8) =

		(-184)
		(-23)

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

(-8) =

		(184)
		(23)

A numerator of 184 and denominator of 23 on the right side is the same as 184 divided by 23 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 23 is not equal to -184. The answer must therefore be 184:

-8 x -23 = 184

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 8 times negative 23 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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What is negative 8 times negative 24?
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