Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 725,732,171?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 72573217137 x 19614383
Negative: -1 x -725732171-37 x -19614383


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 725,732,171?

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 725,732,171, 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.

1 725,732,171
-1 -725,732,171

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 725,732,171.

Example:
1 x 725,732,171 = 725,732,171
and
-1 x -725,732,171 = 725,732,171
Notice both answers equal 725,732,171

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 725,732,171 and divide it by 2:

725,732,171 ÷ 2 = 362,866,085.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 362,866,085.5 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:

1 725,732,171
-1 -725,732,171

Now, we try dividing 725,732,171 by 3:

725,732,171 ÷ 3 = 241,910,723.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 241,910,723.6667 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:

1 725,732,171
-1 -725,732,171

Let's try dividing by 4:

725,732,171 ÷ 4 = 181,433,042.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 181,433,042.75 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:

1 725,732,171
-1 725,732,171
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

13719,614,383725,732,171
-1-37-19,614,383-725,732,171

More Examples

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