87 times 1 is 87, but what is the answer if both 87 and 1 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 87 times negative 1 is positive 87 or negative 87.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 87 times negative 1 is -87 or +87 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 -87 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -87 is correct by setting up the equation negative 87 times negative 1 equals negative 87, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-87) (-1) = (-87)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-1) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-1) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-87) = |
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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:
| (-87) = |
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A numerator of 87 and denominator of 1 on the right side is the same as 87 divided by 1 which is 87. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-87) = (87)
-87 is NOT equal to 87, thus we have proven that negative 87 times negative 1 is not equal to -87. The answer must therefore be 87:
-87 x -1 = 87
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 87 times negative 1 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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