Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 72,141,004?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 721410042 x 360705024 x 1803525113 x 554930826 x 277465452 x 1387327
Negative: -1 x -72141004-2 x -36070502-4 x -18035251-13 x -5549308-26 x -2774654-52 x -1387327


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 72,141,004?

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 72,141,004, 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 72,141,004
-1 -72,141,004

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 72,141,004.

Example:
1 x 72,141,004 = 72,141,004
and
-1 x -72,141,004 = 72,141,004
Notice both answers equal 72,141,004

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 72,141,004 and divide it by 2:

72,141,004 ÷ 2 = 36,070,502

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 36,070,502 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 2 36,070,502 72,141,004
-1 -2 -36,070,502 -72,141,004

Now, we try dividing 72,141,004 by 3:

72,141,004 ÷ 3 = 24,047,001.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 24,047,001.3333 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 2 36,070,502 72,141,004
-1 -2 -36,070,502 -72,141,004

Let's try dividing by 4:

72,141,004 ÷ 4 = 18,035,251

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 18,035,251 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 2 4 18,035,251 36,070,502 72,141,004
-1 -2 -4 -18,035,251 -36,070,502 72,141,004
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1241326521,387,3272,774,6545,549,30818,035,25136,070,50272,141,004
-1-2-4-13-26-52-1,387,327-2,774,654-5,549,308-18,035,251-36,070,502-72,141,004

More Examples

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