Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 21,003,701?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2100370197 x 216533223 x 94187971 x 21631
Negative: -1 x -21003701-97 x -216533-223 x -94187-971 x -21631


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 21,003,701?

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 21,003,701, 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 21,003,701
-1 -21,003,701

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 21,003,701.

Example:
1 x 21,003,701 = 21,003,701
and
-1 x -21,003,701 = 21,003,701
Notice both answers equal 21,003,701

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 21,003,701 and divide it by 2:

21,003,701 ÷ 2 = 10,501,850.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,501,850.5 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 21,003,701
-1 -21,003,701

Now, we try dividing 21,003,701 by 3:

21,003,701 ÷ 3 = 7,001,233.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 7,001,233.6667 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 21,003,701
-1 -21,003,701

Let's try dividing by 4:

21,003,701 ÷ 4 = 5,250,925.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,250,925.25 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 21,003,701
-1 21,003,701
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

19722397121,63194,187216,53321,003,701
-1-97-223-971-21,631-94,187-216,533-21,003,701

More Examples

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