Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 20,531,723?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2053172319 x 108061753 x 3873911007 x 20389
Negative: -1 x -20531723-19 x -1080617-53 x -387391-1007 x -20389


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 20,531,723?

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 20,531,723, 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 20,531,723
-1 -20,531,723

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 20,531,723.

Example:
1 x 20,531,723 = 20,531,723
and
-1 x -20,531,723 = 20,531,723
Notice both answers equal 20,531,723

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 20,531,723 and divide it by 2:

20,531,723 ÷ 2 = 10,265,861.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,265,861.5 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 20,531,723
-1 -20,531,723

Now, we try dividing 20,531,723 by 3:

20,531,723 ÷ 3 = 6,843,907.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,843,907.6667 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 20,531,723
-1 -20,531,723

Let's try dividing by 4:

20,531,723 ÷ 4 = 5,132,930.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,132,930.75 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 20,531,723
-1 20,531,723
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

119531,00720,389387,3911,080,61720,531,723
-1-19-53-1,007-20,389-387,391-1,080,617-20,531,723

More Examples

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