Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 20,659,643?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 20659643179 x 115417211 x 97913547 x 37769
Negative: -1 x -20659643-179 x -115417-211 x -97913-547 x -37769


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 20,659,643?

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 20,659,643, 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 20,659,643
-1 -20,659,643

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 20,659,643.

Example:
1 x 20,659,643 = 20,659,643
and
-1 x -20,659,643 = 20,659,643
Notice both answers equal 20,659,643

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 20,659,643 and divide it by 2:

20,659,643 ÷ 2 = 10,329,821.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,329,821.5 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 20,659,643
-1 -20,659,643

Now, we try dividing 20,659,643 by 3:

20,659,643 ÷ 3 = 6,886,547.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,886,547.6667 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 20,659,643
-1 -20,659,643

Let's try dividing by 4:

20,659,643 ÷ 4 = 5,164,910.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,164,910.75 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 20,659,643
-1 20,659,643
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

117921154737,76997,913115,41720,659,643
-1-179-211-547-37,769-97,913-115,417-20,659,643

More Examples

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