Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 10,231,631?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 102316311609 x 6359
Negative: -1 x -10231631-1609 x -6359


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 10,231,631?

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 10,231,631, 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 10,231,631
-1 -10,231,631

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 10,231,631.

Example:
1 x 10,231,631 = 10,231,631
and
-1 x -10,231,631 = 10,231,631
Notice both answers equal 10,231,631

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 10,231,631 and divide it by 2:

10,231,631 ÷ 2 = 5,115,815.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 5,115,815.5 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 10,231,631
-1 -10,231,631

Now, we try dividing 10,231,631 by 3:

10,231,631 ÷ 3 = 3,410,543.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 3,410,543.6667 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 10,231,631
-1 -10,231,631

Let's try dividing by 4:

10,231,631 ÷ 4 = 2,557,907.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 2,557,907.75 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 10,231,631
-1 10,231,631
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11,6096,35910,231,631
-1-1,609-6,359-10,231,631

More Examples

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