Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 47,458,615?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 474586155 x 9491723
Negative: -1 x -47458615-5 x -9491723


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 47,458,615?

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 47,458,615, 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 47,458,615
-1 -47,458,615

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 47,458,615.

Example:
1 x 47,458,615 = 47,458,615
and
-1 x -47,458,615 = 47,458,615
Notice both answers equal 47,458,615

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 47,458,615 and divide it by 2:

47,458,615 ÷ 2 = 23,729,307.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 23,729,307.5 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 47,458,615
-1 -47,458,615

Now, we try dividing 47,458,615 by 3:

47,458,615 ÷ 3 = 15,819,538.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 15,819,538.3333 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 47,458,615
-1 -47,458,615

Let's try dividing by 4:

47,458,615 ÷ 4 = 11,864,653.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 11,864,653.75 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 47,458,615
-1 47,458,615
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

159,491,72347,458,615
-1-5-9,491,723-47,458,615

More Examples

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