Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 16,205,959?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 162059597 x 231513711 x 147326977 x 210467
Negative: -1 x -16205959-7 x -2315137-11 x -1473269-77 x -210467


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 16,205,959?

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 16,205,959, 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 16,205,959
-1 -16,205,959

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 16,205,959.

Example:
1 x 16,205,959 = 16,205,959
and
-1 x -16,205,959 = 16,205,959
Notice both answers equal 16,205,959

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 16,205,959 and divide it by 2:

16,205,959 ÷ 2 = 8,102,979.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 8,102,979.5 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 16,205,959
-1 -16,205,959

Now, we try dividing 16,205,959 by 3:

16,205,959 ÷ 3 = 5,401,986.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,401,986.3333 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 16,205,959
-1 -16,205,959

Let's try dividing by 4:

16,205,959 ÷ 4 = 4,051,489.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,051,489.75 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 16,205,959
-1 16,205,959
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171177210,4671,473,2692,315,13716,205,959
-1-7-11-77-210,467-1,473,269-2,315,137-16,205,959

More Examples

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