Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 8,542,349?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 854234979 x 108131
Negative: -1 x -8542349-79 x -108131


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 8,542,349?

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 8,542,349, 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 8,542,349
-1 -8,542,349

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 8,542,349.

Example:
1 x 8,542,349 = 8,542,349
and
-1 x -8,542,349 = 8,542,349
Notice both answers equal 8,542,349

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 8,542,349 and divide it by 2:

8,542,349 ÷ 2 = 4,271,174.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 4,271,174.5 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 8,542,349
-1 -8,542,349

Now, we try dividing 8,542,349 by 3:

8,542,349 ÷ 3 = 2,847,449.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 2,847,449.6667 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 8,542,349
-1 -8,542,349

Let's try dividing by 4:

8,542,349 ÷ 4 = 2,135,587.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 2,135,587.25 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 8,542,349
-1 8,542,349
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

179108,1318,542,349
-1-79-108,131-8,542,349

More Examples

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