Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 88,600,843?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 886008432389 x 37087
Negative: -1 x -88600843-2389 x -37087


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 88,600,843?

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 88,600,843, 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 88,600,843
-1 -88,600,843

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 88,600,843.

Example:
1 x 88,600,843 = 88,600,843
and
-1 x -88,600,843 = 88,600,843
Notice both answers equal 88,600,843

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 88,600,843 and divide it by 2:

88,600,843 ÷ 2 = 44,300,421.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 44,300,421.5 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 88,600,843
-1 -88,600,843

Now, we try dividing 88,600,843 by 3:

88,600,843 ÷ 3 = 29,533,614.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 29,533,614.3333 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 88,600,843
-1 -88,600,843

Let's try dividing by 4:

88,600,843 ÷ 4 = 22,150,210.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 22,150,210.75 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 88,600,843
-1 88,600,843
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12,38937,08788,600,843
-1-2,389-37,087-88,600,843

More Examples

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