9 times 6 is 54, but what is the answer if both 9 and 6 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 9 times negative 6 is positive 54 or negative 54.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 9 times negative 6 is -54 or +54 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 -54 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -54 is correct by setting up the equation negative 9 times negative 6 equals negative 54, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-9) (-6) = (-54)
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:
| (-9) = |
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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:
| (-9) = |
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A numerator of 54 and denominator of 6 on the right side is the same as 54 divided by 6 which is 9. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-9) = (9)
-9 is NOT equal to 9, thus we have proven that negative 9 times negative 6 is not equal to -54. The answer must therefore be 54:
-9 x -6 = 54
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 9 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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