Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 18,031,517?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 180315177 x 257593123 x 783979161 x 111997
Negative: -1 x -18031517-7 x -2575931-23 x -783979-161 x -111997


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 18,031,517?

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 18,031,517, 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 18,031,517
-1 -18,031,517

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 18,031,517.

Example:
1 x 18,031,517 = 18,031,517
and
-1 x -18,031,517 = 18,031,517
Notice both answers equal 18,031,517

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 18,031,517 and divide it by 2:

18,031,517 ÷ 2 = 9,015,758.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 9,015,758.5 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 18,031,517
-1 -18,031,517

Now, we try dividing 18,031,517 by 3:

18,031,517 ÷ 3 = 6,010,505.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,010,505.6667 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 18,031,517
-1 -18,031,517

Let's try dividing by 4:

18,031,517 ÷ 4 = 4,507,879.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,507,879.25 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 18,031,517
-1 18,031,517
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1723161111,997783,9792,575,93118,031,517
-1-7-23-161-111,997-783,979-2,575,931-18,031,517

More Examples

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