What is negative 97 times negative 42? (-97 x -42)

What is negative 97 times negative 42?

97 times 42 is 4074, but what is the answer if both 97 and 42 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 97 times negative 42 is positive 4074 or negative 4074.

There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 97 times negative 42 is -4074 or +4074 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 -4074 is the correct answer using basic algebra.

We will test if -4074 is correct by setting up the equation negative 97 times negative 42 equals negative 4074, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.

(-97) (-42) = (-4074)

Divide both sides of the equation by (-42) :

		(-97) (-42)
		(-42)

		(-4074)
		(-42)

The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-42) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-97) =

		(-4074)
		(-42)

The numerator and denominator on the right side both have a minus sign (-) which even each other out and can be removed:

(-97) =

		(4074)
		(42)

A numerator of 4074 and denominator of 42 on the right side is the same as 4074 divided by 42 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 42 is not equal to -4074. The answer must therefore be 4074:

-97 x -42 = 4074

The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 97 times negative 42 will always have a positive answer.

Negative Times Negative Calculator
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What is negative 97 times negative 43?
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