Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 123,456,785?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1234567855 x 24691357
Negative: -1 x -123456785-5 x -24691357


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 123,456,785?

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 123,456,785, 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.

1 123,456,785
-1 -123,456,785

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 123,456,785.

Example:
1 x 123,456,785 = 123,456,785
and
-1 x -123,456,785 = 123,456,785
Notice both answers equal 123,456,785

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 123,456,785 and divide it by 2:

123,456,785 ÷ 2 = 61,728,392.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 61,728,392.5 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:

1 123,456,785
-1 -123,456,785

Now, we try dividing 123,456,785 by 3:

123,456,785 ÷ 3 = 41,152,261.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 41,152,261.6667 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:

1 123,456,785
-1 -123,456,785

Let's try dividing by 4:

123,456,785 ÷ 4 = 30,864,196.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 30,864,196.25 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:

1 123,456,785
-1 123,456,785
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1524,691,357123,456,785
-1-5-24,691,357-123,456,785

More Examples

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