Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 42,870,115?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 428701155 x 8574023347 x 1235451735 x 24709
Negative: -1 x -42870115-5 x -8574023-347 x -123545-1735 x -24709


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 42,870,115?

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 42,870,115, 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 42,870,115
-1 -42,870,115

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 42,870,115.

Example:
1 x 42,870,115 = 42,870,115
and
-1 x -42,870,115 = 42,870,115
Notice both answers equal 42,870,115

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 42,870,115 and divide it by 2:

42,870,115 ÷ 2 = 21,435,057.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 21,435,057.5 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 42,870,115
-1 -42,870,115

Now, we try dividing 42,870,115 by 3:

42,870,115 ÷ 3 = 14,290,038.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 14,290,038.3333 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 42,870,115
-1 -42,870,115

Let's try dividing by 4:

42,870,115 ÷ 4 = 10,717,528.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 10,717,528.75 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 42,870,115
-1 42,870,115
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

153471,73524,709123,5458,574,02342,870,115
-1-5-347-1,735-24,709-123,545-8,574,023-42,870,115

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

42,870,11342,870,11442,870,11642,870,117
Try the factor calculator

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