Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 131,843,471?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 13184347167 x 1967813
Negative: -1 x -131843471-67 x -1967813


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 131,843,471?

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 131,843,471, 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.

1 131,843,471
-1 -131,843,471

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 131,843,471.

Example:
1 x 131,843,471 = 131,843,471
and
-1 x -131,843,471 = 131,843,471
Notice both answers equal 131,843,471

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 131,843,471 and divide it by 2:

131,843,471 ÷ 2 = 65,921,735.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 65,921,735.5 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:

1 131,843,471
-1 -131,843,471

Now, we try dividing 131,843,471 by 3:

131,843,471 ÷ 3 = 43,947,823.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 43,947,823.6667 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:

1 131,843,471
-1 -131,843,471

Let's try dividing by 4:

131,843,471 ÷ 4 = 32,960,867.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 32,960,867.75 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:

1 131,843,471
-1 131,843,471
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1671,967,813131,843,471
-1-67-1,967,813-131,843,471

More Examples

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