Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 76,888?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 768882 x 384444 x 192227 x 109848 x 961114 x 549228 x 274656 x 1373
Negative: -1 x -76888-2 x -38444-4 x -19222-7 x -10984-8 x -9611-14 x -5492-28 x -2746-56 x -1373


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 76,888?

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 76,888, 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 76,888
-1 -76,888

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 76,888.

Example:
1 x 76,888 = 76,888
and
-1 x -76,888 = 76,888
Notice both answers equal 76,888

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 76,888 and divide it by 2:

76,888 ÷ 2 = 38,444

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 38,444 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 38,444 76,888
-1 -2 -38,444 -76,888

Now, we try dividing 76,888 by 3:

76,888 ÷ 3 = 25,629.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 25,629.3333 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 38,444 76,888
-1 -2 -38,444 -76,888

Let's try dividing by 4:

76,888 ÷ 4 = 19,222

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 19,222 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 19,222 38,444 76,888
-1 -2 -4 -19,222 -38,444 76,888
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

124781428561,3732,7465,4929,61110,98419,22238,44476,888
-1-2-4-7-8-14-28-56-1,373-2,746-5,492-9,611-10,984-19,222-38,444-76,888

More Examples

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