Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 42,929,327?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 429293277 x 613276131 x 1384817217 x 197831
Negative: -1 x -42929327-7 x -6132761-31 x -1384817-217 x -197831


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 42,929,327?

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 42,929,327, 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 42,929,327
-1 -42,929,327

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 42,929,327.

Example:
1 x 42,929,327 = 42,929,327
and
-1 x -42,929,327 = 42,929,327
Notice both answers equal 42,929,327

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 42,929,327 and divide it by 2:

42,929,327 ÷ 2 = 21,464,663.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 21,464,663.5 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 42,929,327
-1 -42,929,327

Now, we try dividing 42,929,327 by 3:

42,929,327 ÷ 3 = 14,309,775.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 14,309,775.6667 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 42,929,327
-1 -42,929,327

Let's try dividing by 4:

42,929,327 ÷ 4 = 10,732,331.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 10,732,331.75 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 42,929,327
-1 42,929,327
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1731217197,8311,384,8176,132,76142,929,327
-1-7-31-217-197,831-1,384,817-6,132,761-42,929,327

More Examples

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