Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 87,868,765?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 878687655 x 175737531009 x 870855045 x 17417
Negative: -1 x -87868765-5 x -17573753-1009 x -87085-5045 x -17417


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 87,868,765?

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 87,868,765, 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 87,868,765
-1 -87,868,765

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 87,868,765.

Example:
1 x 87,868,765 = 87,868,765
and
-1 x -87,868,765 = 87,868,765
Notice both answers equal 87,868,765

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 87,868,765 and divide it by 2:

87,868,765 ÷ 2 = 43,934,382.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 43,934,382.5 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 87,868,765
-1 -87,868,765

Now, we try dividing 87,868,765 by 3:

87,868,765 ÷ 3 = 29,289,588.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 29,289,588.3333 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 87,868,765
-1 -87,868,765

Let's try dividing by 4:

87,868,765 ÷ 4 = 21,967,191.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 21,967,191.25 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 87,868,765
-1 87,868,765
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

151,0095,04517,41787,08517,573,75387,868,765
-1-5-1,009-5,045-17,417-87,085-17,573,753-87,868,765

More Examples

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