Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 20,421,793?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 204217937 x 29173991279 x 159672281 x 8953
Negative: -1 x -20421793-7 x -2917399-1279 x -15967-2281 x -8953


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 20,421,793?

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 20,421,793, 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 20,421,793
-1 -20,421,793

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 20,421,793.

Example:
1 x 20,421,793 = 20,421,793
and
-1 x -20,421,793 = 20,421,793
Notice both answers equal 20,421,793

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 20,421,793 and divide it by 2:

20,421,793 ÷ 2 = 10,210,896.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,210,896.5 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 20,421,793
-1 -20,421,793

Now, we try dividing 20,421,793 by 3:

20,421,793 ÷ 3 = 6,807,264.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,807,264.3333 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 20,421,793
-1 -20,421,793

Let's try dividing by 4:

20,421,793 ÷ 4 = 5,105,448.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,105,448.25 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 20,421,793
-1 20,421,793
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171,2792,2818,95315,9672,917,39920,421,793
-1-7-1,279-2,281-8,953-15,967-2,917,399-20,421,793

More Examples

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