8 times 37 is 296, but what is the answer if both 8 and 37 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 8 times negative 37 is positive 296 or negative 296.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 8 times negative 37 is -296 or +296 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 -296 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -296 is correct by setting up the equation negative 8 times negative 37 equals negative 296, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-8) (-37) = (-296)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-37) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-37) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-8) = |
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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:
| (-8) = |
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A numerator of 296 and denominator of 37 on the right side is the same as 296 divided by 37 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 37 is not equal to -296. The answer must therefore be 296:
-8 x -37 = 296
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 8 times negative 37 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 38?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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