86 times 88 is 7568, but what is the answer if both 86 and 88 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 86 times negative 88 is positive 7568 or negative 7568.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 86 times negative 88 is -7568 or +7568 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 -7568 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -7568 is correct by setting up the equation negative 86 times negative 88 equals negative 7568, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-86) (-88) = (-7568)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-88) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-88) 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 7568 and denominator of 88 on the right side is the same as 7568 divided by 88 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 88 is not equal to -7568. The answer must therefore be 7568:
-86 x -88 = 7568
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 86 times negative 88 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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