96 times 5 is 480, but what is the answer if both 96 and 5 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 96 times negative 5 is positive 480 or negative 480.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 96 times negative 5 is -480 or +480 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 -480 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -480 is correct by setting up the equation negative 96 times negative 5 equals negative 480, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-96) (-5) = (-480)
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:
| (-96) = |
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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:
| (-96) = |
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A numerator of 480 and denominator of 5 on the right side is the same as 480 divided by 5 which is 96. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-96) = (96)
-96 is NOT equal to 96, thus we have proven that negative 96 times negative 5 is not equal to -480. The answer must therefore be 480:
-96 x -5 = 480
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 96 times negative 5 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
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