88 times 57 is 5016, but what is the answer if both 88 and 57 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 88 times negative 57 is positive 5016 or negative 5016.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 88 times negative 57 is -5016 or +5016 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 -5016 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -5016 is correct by setting up the equation negative 88 times negative 57 equals negative 5016, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-88) (-57) = (-5016)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-57) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-57) 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 5016 and denominator of 57 on the right side is the same as 5016 divided by 57 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 57 is not equal to -5016. The answer must therefore be 5016:
-88 x -57 = 5016
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 88 times negative 57 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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