Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 131,201,003?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 131201003613 x 214031
Negative: -1 x -131201003-613 x -214031


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 131,201,003?

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 131,201,003, 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.

1 131,201,003
-1 -131,201,003

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 131,201,003.

Example:
1 x 131,201,003 = 131,201,003
and
-1 x -131,201,003 = 131,201,003
Notice both answers equal 131,201,003

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 131,201,003 and divide it by 2:

131,201,003 ÷ 2 = 65,600,501.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 65,600,501.5 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:

1 131,201,003
-1 -131,201,003

Now, we try dividing 131,201,003 by 3:

131,201,003 ÷ 3 = 43,733,667.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 43,733,667.6667 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:

1 131,201,003
-1 -131,201,003

Let's try dividing by 4:

131,201,003 ÷ 4 = 32,800,250.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 32,800,250.75 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:

1 131,201,003
-1 131,201,003
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1613214,031131,201,003
-1-613-214,031-131,201,003

More Examples

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