Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 8,438,735?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 84387355 x 16877471031 x 81851637 x 5155
Negative: -1 x -8438735-5 x -1687747-1031 x -8185-1637 x -5155


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 8,438,735?

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 8,438,735, 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 8,438,735
-1 -8,438,735

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 8,438,735.

Example:
1 x 8,438,735 = 8,438,735
and
-1 x -8,438,735 = 8,438,735
Notice both answers equal 8,438,735

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 8,438,735 and divide it by 2:

8,438,735 ÷ 2 = 4,219,367.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 4,219,367.5 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 8,438,735
-1 -8,438,735

Now, we try dividing 8,438,735 by 3:

8,438,735 ÷ 3 = 2,812,911.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 2,812,911.6667 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 8,438,735
-1 -8,438,735

Let's try dividing by 4:

8,438,735 ÷ 4 = 2,109,683.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 2,109,683.75 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 8,438,735
-1 8,438,735
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

151,0311,6375,1558,1851,687,7478,438,735
-1-5-1,031-1,637-5,155-8,185-1,687,747-8,438,735

More Examples

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