Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 42,871,733?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4287173319 x 2256407557 x 769694051 x 10583
Negative: -1 x -42871733-19 x -2256407-557 x -76969-4051 x -10583


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 42,871,733?

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 42,871,733, 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 42,871,733
-1 -42,871,733

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 42,871,733.

Example:
1 x 42,871,733 = 42,871,733
and
-1 x -42,871,733 = 42,871,733
Notice both answers equal 42,871,733

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 42,871,733 and divide it by 2:

42,871,733 ÷ 2 = 21,435,866.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 21,435,866.5 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 42,871,733
-1 -42,871,733

Now, we try dividing 42,871,733 by 3:

42,871,733 ÷ 3 = 14,290,577.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 14,290,577.6667 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 42,871,733
-1 -42,871,733

Let's try dividing by 4:

42,871,733 ÷ 4 = 10,717,933.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 10,717,933.25 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 42,871,733
-1 42,871,733
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1195574,05110,58376,9692,256,40742,871,733
-1-19-557-4,051-10,583-76,969-2,256,407-42,871,733

More Examples

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