Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 20,031,287?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2003128717 x 1178311379 x 528533109 x 6443
Negative: -1 x -20031287-17 x -1178311-379 x -52853-3109 x -6443


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 20,031,287?

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 20,031,287, 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 20,031,287
-1 -20,031,287

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 20,031,287.

Example:
1 x 20,031,287 = 20,031,287
and
-1 x -20,031,287 = 20,031,287
Notice both answers equal 20,031,287

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 20,031,287 and divide it by 2:

20,031,287 ÷ 2 = 10,015,643.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,015,643.5 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 20,031,287
-1 -20,031,287

Now, we try dividing 20,031,287 by 3:

20,031,287 ÷ 3 = 6,677,095.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,677,095.6667 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 20,031,287
-1 -20,031,287

Let's try dividing by 4:

20,031,287 ÷ 4 = 5,007,821.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,007,821.75 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 20,031,287
-1 20,031,287
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1173793,1096,44352,8531,178,31120,031,287
-1-17-379-3,109-6,443-52,853-1,178,311-20,031,287

More Examples

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