Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 24,786,509?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2478650911 x 225331941 x 604549451 x 54959
Negative: -1 x -24786509-11 x -2253319-41 x -604549-451 x -54959


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 24,786,509?

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 24,786,509, 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 24,786,509
-1 -24,786,509

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 24,786,509.

Example:
1 x 24,786,509 = 24,786,509
and
-1 x -24,786,509 = 24,786,509
Notice both answers equal 24,786,509

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 24,786,509 and divide it by 2:

24,786,509 ÷ 2 = 12,393,254.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 12,393,254.5 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 24,786,509
-1 -24,786,509

Now, we try dividing 24,786,509 by 3:

24,786,509 ÷ 3 = 8,262,169.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 8,262,169.6667 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 24,786,509
-1 -24,786,509

Let's try dividing by 4:

24,786,509 ÷ 4 = 6,196,627.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 6,196,627.25 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 24,786,509
-1 24,786,509
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1114145154,959604,5492,253,31924,786,509
-1-11-41-451-54,959-604,549-2,253,319-24,786,509

More Examples

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