Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 32,787?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 327873 x 109299 x 3643
Negative: -1 x -32787-3 x -10929-9 x -3643


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 32,787?

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 32,787, 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 32,787
-1 -32,787

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 32,787.

Example:
1 x 32,787 = 32,787
and
-1 x -32,787 = 32,787
Notice both answers equal 32,787

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 32,787 and divide it by 2:

32,787 ÷ 2 = 16,393.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 16,393.5 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 32,787
-1 -32,787

Now, we try dividing 32,787 by 3:

32,787 ÷ 3 = 10,929

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 10,929 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 3 10,929 32,787
-1 -3 -10,929 -32,787

Let's try dividing by 4:

32,787 ÷ 4 = 8,196.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 8,196.75 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 3 10,929 32,787
-1 -3 -10,929 32,787
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1393,64310,92932,787
-1-3-9-3,643-10,929-32,787

More Examples

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