Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 25,387,721?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2538772173 x 347777457 x 55553761 x 33361
Negative: -1 x -25387721-73 x -347777-457 x -55553-761 x -33361


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 25,387,721?

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 25,387,721, 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 25,387,721
-1 -25,387,721

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 25,387,721.

Example:
1 x 25,387,721 = 25,387,721
and
-1 x -25,387,721 = 25,387,721
Notice both answers equal 25,387,721

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 25,387,721 and divide it by 2:

25,387,721 ÷ 2 = 12,693,860.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 12,693,860.5 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 25,387,721
-1 -25,387,721

Now, we try dividing 25,387,721 by 3:

25,387,721 ÷ 3 = 8,462,573.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 8,462,573.6667 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 25,387,721
-1 -25,387,721

Let's try dividing by 4:

25,387,721 ÷ 4 = 6,346,930.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 6,346,930.25 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 25,387,721
-1 25,387,721
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17345776133,36155,553347,77725,387,721
-1-73-457-761-33,361-55,553-347,777-25,387,721

More Examples

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