Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 377,886,517?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3778865175527 x 68371
Negative: -1 x -377886517-5527 x -68371


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 377,886,517?

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 377,886,517, 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.

1 377,886,517
-1 -377,886,517

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 377,886,517.

Example:
1 x 377,886,517 = 377,886,517
and
-1 x -377,886,517 = 377,886,517
Notice both answers equal 377,886,517

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 377,886,517 and divide it by 2:

377,886,517 ÷ 2 = 188,943,258.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 188,943,258.5 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:

1 377,886,517
-1 -377,886,517

Now, we try dividing 377,886,517 by 3:

377,886,517 ÷ 3 = 125,962,172.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 125,962,172.3333 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:

1 377,886,517
-1 -377,886,517

Let's try dividing by 4:

377,886,517 ÷ 4 = 94,471,629.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 94,471,629.25 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:

1 377,886,517
-1 377,886,517
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15,52768,371377,886,517
-1-5,527-68,371-377,886,517

More Examples

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