87 times 6 is 522, but what is the answer if both 87 and 6 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 87 times negative 6 is positive 522 or negative 522.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 87 times negative 6 is -522 or +522 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 -522 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -522 is correct by setting up the equation negative 87 times negative 6 equals negative 522, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-87) (-6) = (-522)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-6) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-6) 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 522 and denominator of 6 on the right side is the same as 522 divided by 6 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 6 is not equal to -522. The answer must therefore be 522:
-87 x -6 = 522
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 87 times negative 6 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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