88 times 5 is 440, but what is the answer if both 88 and 5 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 88 times negative 5 is positive 440 or negative 440.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 88 times negative 5 is -440 or +440 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 -440 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -440 is correct by setting up the equation negative 88 times negative 5 equals negative 440, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-88) (-5) = (-440)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-5) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-5) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-88) = |
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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:
| (-88) = |
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A numerator of 440 and denominator of 5 on the right side is the same as 440 divided by 5 which is 88. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-88) = (88)
-88 is NOT equal to 88, thus we have proven that negative 88 times negative 5 is not equal to -440. The answer must therefore be 440:
-88 x -5 = 440
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 88 times negative 5 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
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