Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 20,822,921?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 208229217 x 2974703277 x 751731939 x 10739
Negative: -1 x -20822921-7 x -2974703-277 x -75173-1939 x -10739


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 20,822,921?

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 20,822,921, 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 20,822,921
-1 -20,822,921

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 20,822,921.

Example:
1 x 20,822,921 = 20,822,921
and
-1 x -20,822,921 = 20,822,921
Notice both answers equal 20,822,921

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 20,822,921 and divide it by 2:

20,822,921 ÷ 2 = 10,411,460.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,411,460.5 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 20,822,921
-1 -20,822,921

Now, we try dividing 20,822,921 by 3:

20,822,921 ÷ 3 = 6,940,973.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,940,973.6667 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 20,822,921
-1 -20,822,921

Let's try dividing by 4:

20,822,921 ÷ 4 = 5,205,730.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,205,730.25 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 20,822,921
-1 20,822,921
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

172771,93910,73975,1732,974,70320,822,921
-1-7-277-1,939-10,739-75,173-2,974,703-20,822,921

More Examples

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