Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 18,658,555?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 186585555 x 3731711
Negative: -1 x -18658555-5 x -3731711


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 18,658,555?

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 18,658,555, 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 18,658,555
-1 -18,658,555

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 18,658,555.

Example:
1 x 18,658,555 = 18,658,555
and
-1 x -18,658,555 = 18,658,555
Notice both answers equal 18,658,555

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 18,658,555 and divide it by 2:

18,658,555 ÷ 2 = 9,329,277.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 9,329,277.5 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 18,658,555
-1 -18,658,555

Now, we try dividing 18,658,555 by 3:

18,658,555 ÷ 3 = 6,219,518.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,219,518.3333 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 18,658,555
-1 -18,658,555

Let's try dividing by 4:

18,658,555 ÷ 4 = 4,664,638.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,664,638.75 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 18,658,555
-1 18,658,555
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

153,731,71118,658,555
-1-5-3,731,711-18,658,555

More Examples

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