Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 38,889,791?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3888979159 x 659149167 x 2328733947 x 9853
Negative: -1 x -38889791-59 x -659149-167 x -232873-3947 x -9853


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 38,889,791?

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 38,889,791, 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 38,889,791
-1 -38,889,791

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 38,889,791.

Example:
1 x 38,889,791 = 38,889,791
and
-1 x -38,889,791 = 38,889,791
Notice both answers equal 38,889,791

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 38,889,791 and divide it by 2:

38,889,791 ÷ 2 = 19,444,895.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 19,444,895.5 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 38,889,791
-1 -38,889,791

Now, we try dividing 38,889,791 by 3:

38,889,791 ÷ 3 = 12,963,263.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 12,963,263.6667 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 38,889,791
-1 -38,889,791

Let's try dividing by 4:

38,889,791 ÷ 4 = 9,722,447.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 9,722,447.75 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 38,889,791
-1 38,889,791
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1591673,9479,853232,873659,14938,889,791
-1-59-167-3,947-9,853-232,873-659,149-38,889,791

More Examples

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