80 times 55 is 4400, but what is the answer if both 80 and 55 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 80 times negative 55 is positive 4400 or negative 4400.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 80 times negative 55 is -4400 or +4400 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 -4400 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -4400 is correct by setting up the equation negative 80 times negative 55 equals negative 4400, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-80) (-55) = (-4400)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-55) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-55) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-80) = |
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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:
| (-80) = |
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A numerator of 4400 and denominator of 55 on the right side is the same as 4400 divided by 55 which is 80. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-80) = (80)
-80 is NOT equal to 80, thus we have proven that negative 80 times negative 55 is not equal to -4400. The answer must therefore be 4400:
-80 x -55 = 4400
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 80 times negative 55 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 80 times negative 56?
Here is the next problem on our list that we have explained and calculated.
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