97 times 5 is 485, but what is the answer if both 97 and 5 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 97 times negative 5 is positive 485 or negative 485.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 97 times negative 5 is -485 or +485 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 -485 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -485 is correct by setting up the equation negative 97 times negative 5 equals negative 485, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-97) (-5) = (-485)
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:
| (-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 485 and denominator of 5 on the right side is the same as 485 divided by 5 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 5 is not equal to -485. The answer must therefore be 485:
-97 x -5 = 485
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 97 times negative 5 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
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