What is negative 8 times negative 50? (-8 x -50)

What is negative 8 times negative 50?

8 times 50 is 400, but what is the answer if both 8 and 50 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 8 times negative 50 is positive 400 or negative 400.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 8 times negative 50 is -400 or +400 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 -400 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -400 is correct by setting up the equation negative 8 times negative 50 equals negative 400, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-8) (-50) = (-400)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-50) :

		(-8) (-50)
		(-50)

		(-400)
		(-50)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-50) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-8) =

		(-400)
		(-50)

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

(-8) =

		(400)
		(50)

A numerator of 400 and denominator of 50 on the right side is the same as 400 divided by 50 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 50 is not equal to -400. The answer must therefore be 400:

-8 x -50 = 400

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 8 times negative 50 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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