Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 987,543,245?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 9875432455 x 19750864913 x 7596486565 x 15192973379 x 26056551895 x 5211314927 x 20043524635 x 40087
Negative: -1 x -987543245-5 x -197508649-13 x -75964865-65 x -15192973-379 x -2605655-1895 x -521131-4927 x -200435-24635 x -40087


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 987,543,245?

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 987,543,245, 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.

1 987,543,245
-1 -987,543,245

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 987,543,245.

Example:
1 x 987,543,245 = 987,543,245
and
-1 x -987,543,245 = 987,543,245
Notice both answers equal 987,543,245

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 987,543,245 and divide it by 2:

987,543,245 ÷ 2 = 493,771,622.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 493,771,622.5 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:

1 987,543,245
-1 -987,543,245

Now, we try dividing 987,543,245 by 3:

987,543,245 ÷ 3 = 329,181,081.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 329,181,081.6667 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:

1 987,543,245
-1 -987,543,245

Let's try dividing by 4:

987,543,245 ÷ 4 = 246,885,811.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 246,885,811.25 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:

1 987,543,245
-1 987,543,245
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1513653791,8954,92724,63540,087200,435521,1312,605,65515,192,97375,964,865197,508,649987,543,245
-1-5-13-65-379-1,895-4,927-24,635-40,087-200,435-521,131-2,605,655-15,192,973-75,964,865-197,508,649-987,543,245

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 987,543,245:


Ask a Question