Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 18,361,217?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 183612177 x 26230311583 x 115991657 x 11081
Negative: -1 x -18361217-7 x -2623031-1583 x -11599-1657 x -11081


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 18,361,217?

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 18,361,217, 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 18,361,217
-1 -18,361,217

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 18,361,217.

Example:
1 x 18,361,217 = 18,361,217
and
-1 x -18,361,217 = 18,361,217
Notice both answers equal 18,361,217

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 18,361,217 and divide it by 2:

18,361,217 ÷ 2 = 9,180,608.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 9,180,608.5 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 18,361,217
-1 -18,361,217

Now, we try dividing 18,361,217 by 3:

18,361,217 ÷ 3 = 6,120,405.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,120,405.6667 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 18,361,217
-1 -18,361,217

Let's try dividing by 4:

18,361,217 ÷ 4 = 4,590,304.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 4,590,304.25 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 18,361,217
-1 18,361,217
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171,5831,65711,08111,5992,623,03118,361,217
-1-7-1,583-1,657-11,081-11,599-2,623,031-18,361,217

More Examples

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