Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 20,615,612?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 206156122 x 103078064 x 5153903
Negative: -1 x -20615612-2 x -10307806-4 x -5153903


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 20,615,612?

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 20,615,612, 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 20,615,612
-1 -20,615,612

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 20,615,612.

Example:
1 x 20,615,612 = 20,615,612
and
-1 x -20,615,612 = 20,615,612
Notice both answers equal 20,615,612

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 20,615,612 and divide it by 2:

20,615,612 ÷ 2 = 10,307,806

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,307,806 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 10,307,806 20,615,612
-1 -2 -10,307,806 -20,615,612

Now, we try dividing 20,615,612 by 3:

20,615,612 ÷ 3 = 6,871,870.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,871,870.6667 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 2 10,307,806 20,615,612
-1 -2 -10,307,806 -20,615,612

Let's try dividing by 4:

20,615,612 ÷ 4 = 5,153,903

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,153,903 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 4 5,153,903 10,307,806 20,615,612
-1 -2 -4 -5,153,903 -10,307,806 20,615,612
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1245,153,90310,307,80620,615,612
-1-2-4-5,153,903-10,307,806-20,615,612

More Examples

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