Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 16,836,857?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1683685747 x 358231337 x 499611063 x 15839
Negative: -1 x -16836857-47 x -358231-337 x -49961-1063 x -15839


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 16,836,857?

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 16,836,857, 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 16,836,857
-1 -16,836,857

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 16,836,857.

Example:
1 x 16,836,857 = 16,836,857
and
-1 x -16,836,857 = 16,836,857
Notice both answers equal 16,836,857

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 16,836,857 and divide it by 2:

16,836,857 ÷ 2 = 8,418,428.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 8,418,428.5 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 16,836,857
-1 -16,836,857

Now, we try dividing 16,836,857 by 3:

16,836,857 ÷ 3 = 5,612,285.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,612,285.6667 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 16,836,857
-1 -16,836,857

Let's try dividing by 4:

16,836,857 ÷ 4 = 4,209,214.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,209,214.25 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 16,836,857
-1 16,836,857
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1473371,06315,83949,961358,23116,836,857
-1-47-337-1,063-15,839-49,961-358,231-16,836,857

More Examples

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