Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 17,129,417?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 171294171453 x 11789
Negative: -1 x -17129417-1453 x -11789


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 17,129,417?

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 17,129,417, 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 17,129,417
-1 -17,129,417

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 17,129,417.

Example:
1 x 17,129,417 = 17,129,417
and
-1 x -17,129,417 = 17,129,417
Notice both answers equal 17,129,417

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 17,129,417 and divide it by 2:

17,129,417 ÷ 2 = 8,564,708.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 8,564,708.5 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 17,129,417
-1 -17,129,417

Now, we try dividing 17,129,417 by 3:

17,129,417 ÷ 3 = 5,709,805.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,709,805.6667 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 17,129,417
-1 -17,129,417

Let's try dividing by 4:

17,129,417 ÷ 4 = 4,282,354.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,282,354.25 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 17,129,417
-1 17,129,417
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11,45311,78917,129,417
-1-1,453-11,789-17,129,417

More Examples

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