Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 24,686,879?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 246868797 x 352669741 x 602119287 x 86017
Negative: -1 x -24686879-7 x -3526697-41 x -602119-287 x -86017


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 24,686,879?

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 24,686,879, 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 24,686,879
-1 -24,686,879

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 24,686,879.

Example:
1 x 24,686,879 = 24,686,879
and
-1 x -24,686,879 = 24,686,879
Notice both answers equal 24,686,879

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 24,686,879 and divide it by 2:

24,686,879 ÷ 2 = 12,343,439.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 12,343,439.5 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 24,686,879
-1 -24,686,879

Now, we try dividing 24,686,879 by 3:

24,686,879 ÷ 3 = 8,228,959.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 8,228,959.6667 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 24,686,879
-1 -24,686,879

Let's try dividing by 4:

24,686,879 ÷ 4 = 6,171,719.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 6,171,719.75 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 24,686,879
-1 24,686,879
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

174128786,017602,1193,526,69724,686,879
-1-7-41-287-86,017-602,119-3,526,697-24,686,879

More Examples

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