Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 987,875?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 9878755 x 1975757 x 14112525 x 3951535 x 28225125 x 7903175 x 5645875 x 1129
Negative: -1 x -987875-5 x -197575-7 x -141125-25 x -39515-35 x -28225-125 x -7903-175 x -5645-875 x -1129


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 987,875?

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 987,875, 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.

1 987,875
-1 -987,875

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 987,875.

Example:
1 x 987,875 = 987,875
and
-1 x -987,875 = 987,875
Notice both answers equal 987,875

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 987,875 and divide it by 2:

987,875 ÷ 2 = 493,937.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 493,937.5 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:

1 987,875
-1 -987,875

Now, we try dividing 987,875 by 3:

987,875 ÷ 3 = 329,291.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 329,291.6667 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:

1 987,875
-1 -987,875

Let's try dividing by 4:

987,875 ÷ 4 = 246,968.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 246,968.75 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:

1 987,875
-1 987,875
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15725351251758751,1295,6457,90328,22539,515141,125197,575987,875
-1-5-7-25-35-125-175-875-1,129-5,645-7,903-28,225-39,515-141,125-197,575-987,875

More Examples

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