Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 18,004,681?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1800468137 x 486613463 x 388871051 x 17131
Negative: -1 x -18004681-37 x -486613-463 x -38887-1051 x -17131


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 18,004,681?

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 18,004,681, 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 18,004,681
-1 -18,004,681

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 18,004,681.

Example:
1 x 18,004,681 = 18,004,681
and
-1 x -18,004,681 = 18,004,681
Notice both answers equal 18,004,681

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 18,004,681 and divide it by 2:

18,004,681 ÷ 2 = 9,002,340.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 9,002,340.5 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 18,004,681
-1 -18,004,681

Now, we try dividing 18,004,681 by 3:

18,004,681 ÷ 3 = 6,001,560.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,001,560.3333 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 18,004,681
-1 -18,004,681

Let's try dividing by 4:

18,004,681 ÷ 4 = 4,501,170.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,501,170.25 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 18,004,681
-1 18,004,681
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1374631,05117,13138,887486,61318,004,681
-1-37-463-1,051-17,131-38,887-486,613-18,004,681

More Examples

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