Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 8,703,685?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 87036855 x 174073741 x 212285205 x 42457
Negative: -1 x -8703685-5 x -1740737-41 x -212285-205 x -42457


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 8,703,685?

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 8,703,685, 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 8,703,685
-1 -8,703,685

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 8,703,685.

Example:
1 x 8,703,685 = 8,703,685
and
-1 x -8,703,685 = 8,703,685
Notice both answers equal 8,703,685

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 8,703,685 and divide it by 2:

8,703,685 ÷ 2 = 4,351,842.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 4,351,842.5 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 8,703,685
-1 -8,703,685

Now, we try dividing 8,703,685 by 3:

8,703,685 ÷ 3 = 2,901,228.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 2,901,228.3333 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 8,703,685
-1 -8,703,685

Let's try dividing by 4:

8,703,685 ÷ 4 = 2,175,921.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 2,175,921.25 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 8,703,685
-1 8,703,685
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

154120542,457212,2851,740,7378,703,685
-1-5-41-205-42,457-212,285-1,740,737-8,703,685

More Examples

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