Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 12,107,281?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1210728117 x 712193593 x 204171201 x 10081
Negative: -1 x -12107281-17 x -712193-593 x -20417-1201 x -10081


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 12,107,281?

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 12,107,281, 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 12,107,281
-1 -12,107,281

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 12,107,281.

Example:
1 x 12,107,281 = 12,107,281
and
-1 x -12,107,281 = 12,107,281
Notice both answers equal 12,107,281

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 12,107,281 and divide it by 2:

12,107,281 ÷ 2 = 6,053,640.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 6,053,640.5 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 12,107,281
-1 -12,107,281

Now, we try dividing 12,107,281 by 3:

12,107,281 ÷ 3 = 4,035,760.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 4,035,760.3333 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 12,107,281
-1 -12,107,281

Let's try dividing by 4:

12,107,281 ÷ 4 = 3,026,820.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 3,026,820.25 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 12,107,281
-1 12,107,281
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1175931,20110,08120,417712,19312,107,281
-1-17-593-1,201-10,081-20,417-712,193-12,107,281

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

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