Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 20,573,359?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2057335959 x 348701239 x 860811459 x 14101
Negative: -1 x -20573359-59 x -348701-239 x -86081-1459 x -14101


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 20,573,359?

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 20,573,359, 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 20,573,359
-1 -20,573,359

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 20,573,359.

Example:
1 x 20,573,359 = 20,573,359
and
-1 x -20,573,359 = 20,573,359
Notice both answers equal 20,573,359

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 20,573,359 and divide it by 2:

20,573,359 ÷ 2 = 10,286,679.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,286,679.5 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 20,573,359
-1 -20,573,359

Now, we try dividing 20,573,359 by 3:

20,573,359 ÷ 3 = 6,857,786.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,857,786.3333 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 20,573,359
-1 -20,573,359

Let's try dividing by 4:

20,573,359 ÷ 4 = 5,143,339.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,143,339.75 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 20,573,359
-1 20,573,359
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1592391,45914,10186,081348,70120,573,359
-1-59-239-1,459-14,101-86,081-348,701-20,573,359

More Examples

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