Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 38,673,389?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 386733894457 x 8677
Negative: -1 x -38673389-4457 x -8677


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 38,673,389?

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 38,673,389, 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 38,673,389
-1 -38,673,389

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 38,673,389.

Example:
1 x 38,673,389 = 38,673,389
and
-1 x -38,673,389 = 38,673,389
Notice both answers equal 38,673,389

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 38,673,389 and divide it by 2:

38,673,389 ÷ 2 = 19,336,694.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 19,336,694.5 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 38,673,389
-1 -38,673,389

Now, we try dividing 38,673,389 by 3:

38,673,389 ÷ 3 = 12,891,129.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 12,891,129.6667 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 38,673,389
-1 -38,673,389

Let's try dividing by 4:

38,673,389 ÷ 4 = 9,668,347.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 9,668,347.25 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 38,673,389
-1 38,673,389
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

14,4578,67738,673,389
-1-4,457-8,677-38,673,389

More Examples

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