Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 15,516,463?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1551646367 x 231589
Negative: -1 x -15516463-67 x -231589


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 15,516,463?

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 15,516,463, 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 15,516,463
-1 -15,516,463

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 15,516,463.

Example:
1 x 15,516,463 = 15,516,463
and
-1 x -15,516,463 = 15,516,463
Notice both answers equal 15,516,463

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 15,516,463 and divide it by 2:

15,516,463 ÷ 2 = 7,758,231.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 7,758,231.5 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 15,516,463
-1 -15,516,463

Now, we try dividing 15,516,463 by 3:

15,516,463 ÷ 3 = 5,172,154.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,172,154.3333 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 15,516,463
-1 -15,516,463

Let's try dividing by 4:

15,516,463 ÷ 4 = 3,879,115.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 3,879,115.75 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 15,516,463
-1 15,516,463
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

167231,58915,516,463
-1-67-231,589-15,516,463

More Examples

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