86 times 56 is 4816, but what is the answer if both 86 and 56 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 86 times negative 56 is positive 4816 or negative 4816.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 86 times negative 56 is -4816 or +4816 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 -4816 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -4816 is correct by setting up the equation negative 86 times negative 56 equals negative 4816, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-86) (-56) = (-4816)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-56) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-56) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-86) = |
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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:
| (-86) = |
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A numerator of 4816 and denominator of 56 on the right side is the same as 4816 divided by 56 which is 86. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-86) = (86)
-86 is NOT equal to 86, thus we have proven that negative 86 times negative 56 is not equal to -4816. The answer must therefore be 4816:
-86 x -56 = 4816
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 86 times negative 56 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
What is negative 86 times negative 57?
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