Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 118,727,285?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1187272855 x 23745457
Negative: -1 x -118727285-5 x -23745457


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 118,727,285?

Unfortunately, there's not simple formula to identifying all of the factors of a number and it can be a tedious process when trying to identify the divisors of larger numbers. To find the factor combinations of the number 118,727,285, it is easier to work with a table - it's called factoring from the outside in.

Outside in Factoring

We start by creating a table and writing 1 on the left side and then the number we're trying to find the factors for on the right side in a table. Then, below that, write the numbers as a negative as well.

1 118,727,285
-1 -118,727,285

Why are the negative numbers included?

When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 118,727,285.

Example:
1 x 118,727,285 = 118,727,285
and
-1 x -118,727,285 = 118,727,285
Notice both answers equal 118,727,285

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 118,727,285 and divide it by 2:

118,727,285 ÷ 2 = 59,363,642.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 59,363,642.5 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 118,727,285
-1 -118,727,285

Now, we try dividing 118,727,285 by 3:

118,727,285 ÷ 3 = 39,575,761.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 39,575,761.6667 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 118,727,285
-1 -118,727,285

Let's try dividing by 4:

118,727,285 ÷ 4 = 29,681,821.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 29,681,821.25 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 118,727,285
-1 118,727,285
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

If you did it right, you will end up with this table:

1523,745,457118,727,285
-1-5-23,745,457-118,727,285

More Examples

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