Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 72,723,547?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 7272354713 x 5594119257 x 2829713341 x 21767
Negative: -1 x -72723547-13 x -5594119-257 x -282971-3341 x -21767


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 72,723,547?

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 72,723,547, 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 72,723,547
-1 -72,723,547

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 72,723,547.

Example:
1 x 72,723,547 = 72,723,547
and
-1 x -72,723,547 = 72,723,547
Notice both answers equal 72,723,547

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 72,723,547 and divide it by 2:

72,723,547 ÷ 2 = 36,361,773.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 36,361,773.5 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 72,723,547
-1 -72,723,547

Now, we try dividing 72,723,547 by 3:

72,723,547 ÷ 3 = 24,241,182.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 24,241,182.3333 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 72,723,547
-1 -72,723,547

Let's try dividing by 4:

72,723,547 ÷ 4 = 18,180,886.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 18,180,886.75 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 72,723,547
-1 72,723,547
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1132573,34121,767282,9715,594,11972,723,547
-1-13-257-3,341-21,767-282,971-5,594,119-72,723,547

More Examples

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