Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 16,312,631?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1631263179 x 206489
Negative: -1 x -16312631-79 x -206489


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 16,312,631?

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 16,312,631, 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 16,312,631
-1 -16,312,631

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 16,312,631.

Example:
1 x 16,312,631 = 16,312,631
and
-1 x -16,312,631 = 16,312,631
Notice both answers equal 16,312,631

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 16,312,631 and divide it by 2:

16,312,631 ÷ 2 = 8,156,315.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 8,156,315.5 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 16,312,631
-1 -16,312,631

Now, we try dividing 16,312,631 by 3:

16,312,631 ÷ 3 = 5,437,543.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,437,543.6667 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 16,312,631
-1 -16,312,631

Let's try dividing by 4:

16,312,631 ÷ 4 = 4,078,157.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,078,157.75 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 16,312,631
-1 16,312,631
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

179206,48916,312,631
-1-79-206,489-16,312,631

More Examples

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