97 times 56 is 5432, but what is the answer if both 97 and 56 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 97 times negative 56 is positive 5432 or negative 5432.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 97 times negative 56 is -5432 or +5432 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 -5432 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -5432 is correct by setting up the equation negative 97 times negative 56 equals negative 5432, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-97) (-56) = (-5432)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-56) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-56) 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 5432 and denominator of 56 on the right side is the same as 5432 divided by 56 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 56 is not equal to -5432. The answer must therefore be 5432:
-97 x -56 = 5432
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 97 times negative 56 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
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What is negative 97 times negative 57?
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