Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 15,291,481?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1529148123 x 664847
Negative: -1 x -15291481-23 x -664847


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 15,291,481?

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 15,291,481, 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 15,291,481
-1 -15,291,481

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 15,291,481.

Example:
1 x 15,291,481 = 15,291,481
and
-1 x -15,291,481 = 15,291,481
Notice both answers equal 15,291,481

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 15,291,481 and divide it by 2:

15,291,481 ÷ 2 = 7,645,740.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 7,645,740.5 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 15,291,481
-1 -15,291,481

Now, we try dividing 15,291,481 by 3:

15,291,481 ÷ 3 = 5,097,160.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,097,160.3333 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 15,291,481
-1 -15,291,481

Let's try dividing by 4:

15,291,481 ÷ 4 = 3,822,870.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 3,822,870.25 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 15,291,481
-1 15,291,481
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123664,84715,291,481
-1-23-664,847-15,291,481

More Examples

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