Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 48,287,039?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4828703989 x 542551
Negative: -1 x -48287039-89 x -542551


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 48,287,039?

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 48,287,039, 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 48,287,039
-1 -48,287,039

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 48,287,039.

Example:
1 x 48,287,039 = 48,287,039
and
-1 x -48,287,039 = 48,287,039
Notice both answers equal 48,287,039

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 48,287,039 and divide it by 2:

48,287,039 ÷ 2 = 24,143,519.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 24,143,519.5 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 48,287,039
-1 -48,287,039

Now, we try dividing 48,287,039 by 3:

48,287,039 ÷ 3 = 16,095,679.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 16,095,679.6667 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 48,287,039
-1 -48,287,039

Let's try dividing by 4:

48,287,039 ÷ 4 = 12,071,759.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 12,071,759.75 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 48,287,039
-1 48,287,039
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

189542,55148,287,039
-1-89-542,551-48,287,039

More Examples

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