Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 17,721,719?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1772171943 x 412133
Negative: -1 x -17721719-43 x -412133


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 17,721,719?

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 17,721,719, 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 17,721,719
-1 -17,721,719

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 17,721,719.

Example:
1 x 17,721,719 = 17,721,719
and
-1 x -17,721,719 = 17,721,719
Notice both answers equal 17,721,719

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 17,721,719 and divide it by 2:

17,721,719 ÷ 2 = 8,860,859.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 8,860,859.5 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 17,721,719
-1 -17,721,719

Now, we try dividing 17,721,719 by 3:

17,721,719 ÷ 3 = 5,907,239.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,907,239.6667 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 17,721,719
-1 -17,721,719

Let's try dividing by 4:

17,721,719 ÷ 4 = 4,430,429.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,430,429.75 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 17,721,719
-1 17,721,719
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

143412,13317,721,719
-1-43-412,133-17,721,719

More Examples

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