Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 187,833?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1878333 x 6261117 x 1104929 x 647751 x 368387 x 2159127 x 1479381 x 493
Negative: -1 x -187833-3 x -62611-17 x -11049-29 x -6477-51 x -3683-87 x -2159-127 x -1479-381 x -493


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 187,833?

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 187,833, 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.

1 187,833
-1 -187,833

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 187,833.

Example:
1 x 187,833 = 187,833
and
-1 x -187,833 = 187,833
Notice both answers equal 187,833

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 187,833 and divide it by 2:

187,833 ÷ 2 = 93,916.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 93,916.5 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:

1 187,833
-1 -187,833

Now, we try dividing 187,833 by 3:

187,833 ÷ 3 = 62,611

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 62,611 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 3 62,611 187,833
-1 -3 -62,611 -187,833

Let's try dividing by 4:

187,833 ÷ 4 = 46,958.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 46,958.25 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 3 62,611 187,833
-1 -3 -62,611 187,833
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

13172951871273814931,4792,1593,6836,47711,04962,611187,833
-1-3-17-29-51-87-127-381-493-1,479-2,159-3,683-6,477-11,049-62,611-187,833

More Examples

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