Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 864,376,637?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 86437663741 x 210823571559 x 55444313523 x 63919
Negative: -1 x -864376637-41 x -21082357-1559 x -554443-13523 x -63919


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 864,376,637?

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 864,376,637, 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.

1 864,376,637
-1 -864,376,637

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 864,376,637.

Example:
1 x 864,376,637 = 864,376,637
and
-1 x -864,376,637 = 864,376,637
Notice both answers equal 864,376,637

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 864,376,637 and divide it by 2:

864,376,637 ÷ 2 = 432,188,318.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 432,188,318.5 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:

1 864,376,637
-1 -864,376,637

Now, we try dividing 864,376,637 by 3:

864,376,637 ÷ 3 = 288,125,545.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 288,125,545.6667 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:

1 864,376,637
-1 -864,376,637

Let's try dividing by 4:

864,376,637 ÷ 4 = 216,094,159.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 216,094,159.25 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:

1 864,376,637
-1 864,376,637
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1411,55913,52363,919554,44321,082,357864,376,637
-1-41-1,559-13,523-63,919-554,443-21,082,357-864,376,637

More Examples

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