Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 3,487,393?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 34873937 x 49819913 x 26826119 x 18354791 x 38323133 x 26221247 x 141191729 x 2017
Negative: -1 x -3487393-7 x -498199-13 x -268261-19 x -183547-91 x -38323-133 x -26221-247 x -14119-1729 x -2017


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 3,487,393?

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 3,487,393, 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 3,487,393
-1 -3,487,393

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 3,487,393.

Example:
1 x 3,487,393 = 3,487,393
and
-1 x -3,487,393 = 3,487,393
Notice both answers equal 3,487,393

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 3,487,393 and divide it by 2:

3,487,393 ÷ 2 = 1,743,696.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 1,743,696.5 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 3,487,393
-1 -3,487,393

Now, we try dividing 3,487,393 by 3:

3,487,393 ÷ 3 = 1,162,464.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,162,464.3333 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 3,487,393
-1 -3,487,393

Let's try dividing by 4:

3,487,393 ÷ 4 = 871,848.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 871,848.25 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 3,487,393
-1 3,487,393
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171319911332471,7292,01714,11926,22138,323183,547268,261498,1993,487,393
-1-7-13-19-91-133-247-1,729-2,017-14,119-26,221-38,323-183,547-268,261-498,199-3,487,393

More Examples

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