Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 14,887,492?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 148874922 x 74437464 x 3721873
Negative: -1 x -14887492-2 x -7443746-4 x -3721873


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 14,887,492?

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 14,887,492, 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 14,887,492
-1 -14,887,492

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 14,887,492.

Example:
1 x 14,887,492 = 14,887,492
and
-1 x -14,887,492 = 14,887,492
Notice both answers equal 14,887,492

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 14,887,492 and divide it by 2:

14,887,492 ÷ 2 = 7,443,746

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 7,443,746 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

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

1 2 7,443,746 14,887,492
-1 -2 -7,443,746 -14,887,492

Now, we try dividing 14,887,492 by 3:

14,887,492 ÷ 3 = 4,962,497.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 4,962,497.3333 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 2 7,443,746 14,887,492
-1 -2 -7,443,746 -14,887,492

Let's try dividing by 4:

14,887,492 ÷ 4 = 3,721,873

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 3,721,873 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

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

1 2 4 3,721,873 7,443,746 14,887,492
-1 -2 -4 -3,721,873 -7,443,746 14,887,492
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1243,721,8737,443,74614,887,492
-1-2-4-3,721,873-7,443,746-14,887,492

More Examples

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