Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 38,876,381?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3887638137 x 1050713
Negative: -1 x -38876381-37 x -1050713


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 38,876,381?

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 38,876,381, 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 38,876,381
-1 -38,876,381

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 38,876,381.

Example:
1 x 38,876,381 = 38,876,381
and
-1 x -38,876,381 = 38,876,381
Notice both answers equal 38,876,381

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 38,876,381 and divide it by 2:

38,876,381 ÷ 2 = 19,438,190.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 19,438,190.5 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 38,876,381
-1 -38,876,381

Now, we try dividing 38,876,381 by 3:

38,876,381 ÷ 3 = 12,958,793.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 12,958,793.6667 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 38,876,381
-1 -38,876,381

Let's try dividing by 4:

38,876,381 ÷ 4 = 9,719,095.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 9,719,095.25 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 38,876,381
-1 38,876,381
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1371,050,71338,876,381
-1-37-1,050,713-38,876,381

More Examples

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