Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 18,240,973?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 182409732027 x 8999
Negative: -1 x -18240973-2027 x -8999


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 18,240,973?

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 18,240,973, 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 18,240,973
-1 -18,240,973

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 18,240,973.

Example:
1 x 18,240,973 = 18,240,973
and
-1 x -18,240,973 = 18,240,973
Notice both answers equal 18,240,973

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 18,240,973 and divide it by 2:

18,240,973 ÷ 2 = 9,120,486.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 9,120,486.5 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 18,240,973
-1 -18,240,973

Now, we try dividing 18,240,973 by 3:

18,240,973 ÷ 3 = 6,080,324.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,080,324.3333 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 18,240,973
-1 -18,240,973

Let's try dividing by 4:

18,240,973 ÷ 4 = 4,560,243.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,560,243.25 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 18,240,973
-1 18,240,973
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12,0278,99918,240,973
-1-2,027-8,999-18,240,973

More Examples

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