Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 23,873,645?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 238736455 x 4774729787 x 303353935 x 6067
Negative: -1 x -23873645-5 x -4774729-787 x -30335-3935 x -6067


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 23,873,645?

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 23,873,645, 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 23,873,645
-1 -23,873,645

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 23,873,645.

Example:
1 x 23,873,645 = 23,873,645
and
-1 x -23,873,645 = 23,873,645
Notice both answers equal 23,873,645

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 23,873,645 and divide it by 2:

23,873,645 ÷ 2 = 11,936,822.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 11,936,822.5 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 23,873,645
-1 -23,873,645

Now, we try dividing 23,873,645 by 3:

23,873,645 ÷ 3 = 7,957,881.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 7,957,881.6667 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 23,873,645
-1 -23,873,645

Let's try dividing by 4:

23,873,645 ÷ 4 = 5,968,411.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,968,411.25 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 23,873,645
-1 23,873,645
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

157873,9356,06730,3354,774,72923,873,645
-1-5-787-3,935-6,067-30,335-4,774,729-23,873,645

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 23,873,645:


Ask a Question