Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 52,087,137?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 520871373 x 17362379
Negative: -1 x -52087137-3 x -17362379


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 52,087,137?

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 52,087,137, 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 52,087,137
-1 -52,087,137

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 52,087,137.

Example:
1 x 52,087,137 = 52,087,137
and
-1 x -52,087,137 = 52,087,137
Notice both answers equal 52,087,137

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 52,087,137 and divide it by 2:

52,087,137 ÷ 2 = 26,043,568.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 26,043,568.5 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 52,087,137
-1 -52,087,137

Now, we try dividing 52,087,137 by 3:

52,087,137 ÷ 3 = 17,362,379

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 17,362,379 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 3 17,362,379 52,087,137
-1 -3 -17,362,379 -52,087,137

Let's try dividing by 4:

52,087,137 ÷ 4 = 13,021,784.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 13,021,784.25 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 3 17,362,379 52,087,137
-1 -3 -17,362,379 52,087,137
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1317,362,37952,087,137
-1-3-17,362,379-52,087,137

More Examples

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