Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 72,571,751?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 725717517 x 10367393
Negative: -1 x -72571751-7 x -10367393


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 72,571,751?

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 72,571,751, 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 72,571,751
-1 -72,571,751

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 72,571,751.

Example:
1 x 72,571,751 = 72,571,751
and
-1 x -72,571,751 = 72,571,751
Notice both answers equal 72,571,751

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 72,571,751 and divide it by 2:

72,571,751 ÷ 2 = 36,285,875.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 36,285,875.5 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 72,571,751
-1 -72,571,751

Now, we try dividing 72,571,751 by 3:

72,571,751 ÷ 3 = 24,190,583.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 24,190,583.6667 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 72,571,751
-1 -72,571,751

Let's try dividing by 4:

72,571,751 ÷ 4 = 18,142,937.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 18,142,937.75 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 72,571,751
-1 72,571,751
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1710,367,39372,571,751
-1-7-10,367,393-72,571,751

More Examples

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