Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 15,205,427?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 152054271481 x 10267
Negative: -1 x -15205427-1481 x -10267


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 15,205,427?

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 15,205,427, 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 15,205,427
-1 -15,205,427

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 15,205,427.

Example:
1 x 15,205,427 = 15,205,427
and
-1 x -15,205,427 = 15,205,427
Notice both answers equal 15,205,427

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 15,205,427 and divide it by 2:

15,205,427 ÷ 2 = 7,602,713.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 7,602,713.5 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 15,205,427
-1 -15,205,427

Now, we try dividing 15,205,427 by 3:

15,205,427 ÷ 3 = 5,068,475.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,068,475.6667 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 15,205,427
-1 -15,205,427

Let's try dividing by 4:

15,205,427 ÷ 4 = 3,801,356.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 3,801,356.75 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 15,205,427
-1 15,205,427
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11,48110,26715,205,427
-1-1,481-10,267-15,205,427

More Examples

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