Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 9,738,839?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 973883911 x 885349593 x 164231493 x 6523
Negative: -1 x -9738839-11 x -885349-593 x -16423-1493 x -6523


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 9,738,839?

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 9,738,839, 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 9,738,839
-1 -9,738,839

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 9,738,839.

Example:
1 x 9,738,839 = 9,738,839
and
-1 x -9,738,839 = 9,738,839
Notice both answers equal 9,738,839

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 9,738,839 and divide it by 2:

9,738,839 ÷ 2 = 4,869,419.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 4,869,419.5 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 9,738,839
-1 -9,738,839

Now, we try dividing 9,738,839 by 3:

9,738,839 ÷ 3 = 3,246,279.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 3,246,279.6667 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 9,738,839
-1 -9,738,839

Let's try dividing by 4:

9,738,839 ÷ 4 = 2,434,709.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 2,434,709.75 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 9,738,839
-1 9,738,839
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1115931,4936,52316,423885,3499,738,839
-1-11-593-1,493-6,523-16,423-885,349-9,738,839

More Examples

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