Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 17,461,841?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 174618411487 x 11743
Negative: -1 x -17461841-1487 x -11743


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 17,461,841?

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 17,461,841, 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 17,461,841
-1 -17,461,841

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 17,461,841.

Example:
1 x 17,461,841 = 17,461,841
and
-1 x -17,461,841 = 17,461,841
Notice both answers equal 17,461,841

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 17,461,841 and divide it by 2:

17,461,841 ÷ 2 = 8,730,920.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 8,730,920.5 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 17,461,841
-1 -17,461,841

Now, we try dividing 17,461,841 by 3:

17,461,841 ÷ 3 = 5,820,613.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,820,613.6667 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 17,461,841
-1 -17,461,841

Let's try dividing by 4:

17,461,841 ÷ 4 = 4,365,460.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,365,460.25 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 17,461,841
-1 17,461,841
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11,48711,74317,461,841
-1-1,487-11,743-17,461,841

More Examples

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