Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 131,515,333?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 131515333919 x 143107
Negative: -1 x -131515333-919 x -143107


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 131,515,333?

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 131,515,333, 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.

1 131,515,333
-1 -131,515,333

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 131,515,333.

Example:
1 x 131,515,333 = 131,515,333
and
-1 x -131,515,333 = 131,515,333
Notice both answers equal 131,515,333

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 131,515,333 and divide it by 2:

131,515,333 ÷ 2 = 65,757,666.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 65,757,666.5 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:

1 131,515,333
-1 -131,515,333

Now, we try dividing 131,515,333 by 3:

131,515,333 ÷ 3 = 43,838,444.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 43,838,444.3333 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:

1 131,515,333
-1 -131,515,333

Let's try dividing by 4:

131,515,333 ÷ 4 = 32,878,833.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 32,878,833.25 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:

1 131,515,333
-1 131,515,333
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1919143,107131,515,333
-1-919-143,107-131,515,333

More Examples

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