Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 42,377,128?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 423771282 x 211885644 x 105942828 x 5297141
Negative: -1 x -42377128-2 x -21188564-4 x -10594282-8 x -5297141


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 42,377,128?

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 42,377,128, 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 42,377,128
-1 -42,377,128

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 42,377,128.

Example:
1 x 42,377,128 = 42,377,128
and
-1 x -42,377,128 = 42,377,128
Notice both answers equal 42,377,128

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 42,377,128 and divide it by 2:

42,377,128 ÷ 2 = 21,188,564

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 21,188,564 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 21,188,564 42,377,128
-1 -2 -21,188,564 -42,377,128

Now, we try dividing 42,377,128 by 3:

42,377,128 ÷ 3 = 14,125,709.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 14,125,709.3333 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 2 21,188,564 42,377,128
-1 -2 -21,188,564 -42,377,128

Let's try dividing by 4:

42,377,128 ÷ 4 = 10,594,282

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 10,594,282 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 4 10,594,282 21,188,564 42,377,128
-1 -2 -4 -10,594,282 -21,188,564 42,377,128
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12485,297,14110,594,28221,188,56442,377,128
-1-2-4-8-5,297,141-10,594,282-21,188,564-42,377,128

More Examples

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