Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 9,856,873?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 985687313 x 758221421 x 234131801 x 5473
Negative: -1 x -9856873-13 x -758221-421 x -23413-1801 x -5473


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 9,856,873?

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 9,856,873, 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 9,856,873
-1 -9,856,873

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 9,856,873.

Example:
1 x 9,856,873 = 9,856,873
and
-1 x -9,856,873 = 9,856,873
Notice both answers equal 9,856,873

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 9,856,873 and divide it by 2:

9,856,873 ÷ 2 = 4,928,436.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 4,928,436.5 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 9,856,873
-1 -9,856,873

Now, we try dividing 9,856,873 by 3:

9,856,873 ÷ 3 = 3,285,624.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 3,285,624.3333 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 9,856,873
-1 -9,856,873

Let's try dividing by 4:

9,856,873 ÷ 4 = 2,464,218.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 2,464,218.25 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 9,856,873
-1 9,856,873
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1134211,8015,47323,413758,2219,856,873
-1-13-421-1,801-5,473-23,413-758,221-9,856,873

More Examples

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