Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 18,704,585?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 187045855 x 3740917317 x 590051585 x 11801
Negative: -1 x -18704585-5 x -3740917-317 x -59005-1585 x -11801


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 18,704,585?

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 18,704,585, 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 18,704,585
-1 -18,704,585

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 18,704,585.

Example:
1 x 18,704,585 = 18,704,585
and
-1 x -18,704,585 = 18,704,585
Notice both answers equal 18,704,585

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 18,704,585 and divide it by 2:

18,704,585 ÷ 2 = 9,352,292.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 9,352,292.5 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 18,704,585
-1 -18,704,585

Now, we try dividing 18,704,585 by 3:

18,704,585 ÷ 3 = 6,234,861.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,234,861.6667 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 18,704,585
-1 -18,704,585

Let's try dividing by 4:

18,704,585 ÷ 4 = 4,676,146.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,676,146.25 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 18,704,585
-1 18,704,585
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

153171,58511,80159,0053,740,91718,704,585
-1-5-317-1,585-11,801-59,005-3,740,917-18,704,585

More Examples

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