Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 20,857,349?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 20857349257 x 81157
Negative: -1 x -20857349-257 x -81157


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 20,857,349?

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 20,857,349, 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 20,857,349
-1 -20,857,349

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 20,857,349.

Example:
1 x 20,857,349 = 20,857,349
and
-1 x -20,857,349 = 20,857,349
Notice both answers equal 20,857,349

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 20,857,349 and divide it by 2:

20,857,349 ÷ 2 = 10,428,674.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,428,674.5 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 20,857,349
-1 -20,857,349

Now, we try dividing 20,857,349 by 3:

20,857,349 ÷ 3 = 6,952,449.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 6,952,449.6667 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 20,857,349
-1 -20,857,349

Let's try dividing by 4:

20,857,349 ÷ 4 = 5,214,337.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,214,337.25 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 20,857,349
-1 20,857,349
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

125781,15720,857,349
-1-257-81,157-20,857,349

More Examples

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