Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 15,656,525?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 156565255 x 313130525 x 626261
Negative: -1 x -15656525-5 x -3131305-25 x -626261


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 15,656,525?

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 15,656,525, 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 15,656,525
-1 -15,656,525

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 15,656,525.

Example:
1 x 15,656,525 = 15,656,525
and
-1 x -15,656,525 = 15,656,525
Notice both answers equal 15,656,525

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 15,656,525 and divide it by 2:

15,656,525 ÷ 2 = 7,828,262.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 7,828,262.5 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 15,656,525
-1 -15,656,525

Now, we try dividing 15,656,525 by 3:

15,656,525 ÷ 3 = 5,218,841.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,218,841.6667 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 15,656,525
-1 -15,656,525

Let's try dividing by 4:

15,656,525 ÷ 4 = 3,914,131.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 3,914,131.25 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 15,656,525
-1 15,656,525
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1525626,2613,131,30515,656,525
-1-5-25-626,261-3,131,305-15,656,525

More Examples

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