Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 33,446,873?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 334468731907 x 17539
Negative: -1 x -33446873-1907 x -17539


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 33,446,873?

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 33,446,873, 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 33,446,873
-1 -33,446,873

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 33,446,873.

Example:
1 x 33,446,873 = 33,446,873
and
-1 x -33,446,873 = 33,446,873
Notice both answers equal 33,446,873

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 33,446,873 and divide it by 2:

33,446,873 ÷ 2 = 16,723,436.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 16,723,436.5 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 33,446,873
-1 -33,446,873

Now, we try dividing 33,446,873 by 3:

33,446,873 ÷ 3 = 11,148,957.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 11,148,957.6667 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 33,446,873
-1 -33,446,873

Let's try dividing by 4:

33,446,873 ÷ 4 = 8,361,718.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 8,361,718.25 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 33,446,873
-1 33,446,873
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11,90717,53933,446,873
-1-1,907-17,539-33,446,873

More Examples

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