What is negative 86 times negative 72? (-86 x -72)

What is negative 86 times negative 72?

86 times 72 is 6192, but what is the answer if both 86 and 72 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 86 times negative 72 is positive 6192 or negative 6192.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 86 times negative 72 is -6192 or +6192 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 -6192 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -6192 is correct by setting up the equation negative 86 times negative 72 equals negative 6192, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-86) (-72) = (-6192)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-72) :

		(-86) (-72)
		(-72)

		(-6192)
		(-72)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-72) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-86) =

		(-6192)
		(-72)

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

(-86) =

		(6192)
		(72)

A numerator of 6192 and denominator of 72 on the right side is the same as 6192 divided by 72 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 72 is not equal to -6192. The answer must therefore be 6192:

-86 x -72 = 6192

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 86 times negative 72 will always have a positive answer.

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