Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 8,729,381?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 872938117 x 513493107 x 815831819 x 4799
Negative: -1 x -8729381-17 x -513493-107 x -81583-1819 x -4799


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 8,729,381?

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 8,729,381, 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 8,729,381
-1 -8,729,381

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 8,729,381.

Example:
1 x 8,729,381 = 8,729,381
and
-1 x -8,729,381 = 8,729,381
Notice both answers equal 8,729,381

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 8,729,381 and divide it by 2:

8,729,381 ÷ 2 = 4,364,690.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 4,364,690.5 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 8,729,381
-1 -8,729,381

Now, we try dividing 8,729,381 by 3:

8,729,381 ÷ 3 = 2,909,793.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 2,909,793.6667 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 8,729,381
-1 -8,729,381

Let's try dividing by 4:

8,729,381 ÷ 4 = 2,182,345.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 2,182,345.25 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 8,729,381
-1 8,729,381
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1171071,8194,79981,583513,4938,729,381
-1-17-107-1,819-4,799-81,583-513,493-8,729,381

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