Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 28,520,885?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 285208855 x 5704177101 x 282385505 x 56477
Negative: -1 x -28520885-5 x -5704177-101 x -282385-505 x -56477


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 28,520,885?

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 28,520,885, 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 28,520,885
-1 -28,520,885

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 28,520,885.

Example:
1 x 28,520,885 = 28,520,885
and
-1 x -28,520,885 = 28,520,885
Notice both answers equal 28,520,885

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 28,520,885 and divide it by 2:

28,520,885 ÷ 2 = 14,260,442.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 14,260,442.5 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 28,520,885
-1 -28,520,885

Now, we try dividing 28,520,885 by 3:

28,520,885 ÷ 3 = 9,506,961.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 9,506,961.6667 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 28,520,885
-1 -28,520,885

Let's try dividing by 4:

28,520,885 ÷ 4 = 7,130,221.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 7,130,221.25 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 28,520,885
-1 28,520,885
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1510150556,477282,3855,704,17728,520,885
-1-5-101-505-56,477-282,385-5,704,177-28,520,885

More Examples

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