Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 131,522,533?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 13152253323 x 5718371271 x 4853236233 x 21101
Negative: -1 x -131522533-23 x -5718371-271 x -485323-6233 x -21101


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 131,522,533?

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 131,522,533, 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.

1 131,522,533
-1 -131,522,533

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 131,522,533.

Example:
1 x 131,522,533 = 131,522,533
and
-1 x -131,522,533 = 131,522,533
Notice both answers equal 131,522,533

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 131,522,533 and divide it by 2:

131,522,533 ÷ 2 = 65,761,266.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 65,761,266.5 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:

1 131,522,533
-1 -131,522,533

Now, we try dividing 131,522,533 by 3:

131,522,533 ÷ 3 = 43,840,844.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 43,840,844.3333 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:

1 131,522,533
-1 -131,522,533

Let's try dividing by 4:

131,522,533 ÷ 4 = 32,880,633.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 32,880,633.25 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:

1 131,522,533
-1 131,522,533
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1232716,23321,101485,3235,718,371131,522,533
-1-23-271-6,233-21,101-485,323-5,718,371-131,522,533

More Examples

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