Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 23,885,528?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 238855282 x 119427644 x 59713828 x 2985691
Negative: -1 x -23885528-2 x -11942764-4 x -5971382-8 x -2985691


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 23,885,528?

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 23,885,528, 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 23,885,528
-1 -23,885,528

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 23,885,528.

Example:
1 x 23,885,528 = 23,885,528
and
-1 x -23,885,528 = 23,885,528
Notice both answers equal 23,885,528

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 23,885,528 and divide it by 2:

23,885,528 ÷ 2 = 11,942,764

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 11,942,764 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 11,942,764 23,885,528
-1 -2 -11,942,764 -23,885,528

Now, we try dividing 23,885,528 by 3:

23,885,528 ÷ 3 = 7,961,842.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 7,961,842.6667 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 2 11,942,764 23,885,528
-1 -2 -11,942,764 -23,885,528

Let's try dividing by 4:

23,885,528 ÷ 4 = 5,971,382

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,971,382 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 4 5,971,382 11,942,764 23,885,528
-1 -2 -4 -5,971,382 -11,942,764 23,885,528
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12482,985,6915,971,38211,942,76423,885,528
-1-2-4-8-2,985,691-5,971,382-11,942,764-23,885,528

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 23,885,528:


Ask a Question