97 times 41 is 3977, but what is the answer if both 97 and 41 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 97 times negative 41 is positive 3977 or negative 3977.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 97 times negative 41 is -3977 or +3977 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 -3977 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -3977 is correct by setting up the equation negative 97 times negative 41 equals negative 3977, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-97) (-41) = (-3977)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-41) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-41) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-97) = |
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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:
| (-97) = |
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A numerator of 3977 and denominator of 41 on the right side is the same as 3977 divided by 41 which is 97. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-97) = (97)
-97 is NOT equal to 97, thus we have proven that negative 97 times negative 41 is not equal to -3977. The answer must therefore be 3977:
-97 x -41 = 3977
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 97 times negative 41 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
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What is negative 97 times negative 42?
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