99 times 99 is 9801, but what is the answer if both 99 and 99 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 99 times negative 99 is positive 9801 or negative 9801.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 99 times negative 99 is -9801 or +9801 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 -9801 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -9801 is correct by setting up the equation negative 99 times negative 99 equals negative 9801, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-99) (-99) = (-9801)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-99) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-99) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-99) = |
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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:
| (-99) = |
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A numerator of 9801 and denominator of 99 on the right side is the same as 9801 divided by 99 which is 99. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-99) = (99)
-99 is NOT equal to 99, thus we have proven that negative 99 times negative 99 is not equal to -9801. The answer must therefore be 9801:
-99 x -99 = 9801
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 99 times negative 99 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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