Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 21,014,401?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2101440143 x 488707397 x 529331231 x 17071
Negative: -1 x -21014401-43 x -488707-397 x -52933-1231 x -17071


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 21,014,401?

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 21,014,401, 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 21,014,401
-1 -21,014,401

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 21,014,401.

Example:
1 x 21,014,401 = 21,014,401
and
-1 x -21,014,401 = 21,014,401
Notice both answers equal 21,014,401

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 21,014,401 and divide it by 2:

21,014,401 ÷ 2 = 10,507,200.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,507,200.5 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 21,014,401
-1 -21,014,401

Now, we try dividing 21,014,401 by 3:

21,014,401 ÷ 3 = 7,004,800.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 7,004,800.3333 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 21,014,401
-1 -21,014,401

Let's try dividing by 4:

21,014,401 ÷ 4 = 5,253,600.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,253,600.25 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 21,014,401
-1 21,014,401
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1433971,23117,07152,933488,70721,014,401
-1-43-397-1,231-17,071-52,933-488,707-21,014,401

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

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