Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 21,502,013?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2150201313 x 1654001137 x 1569491781 x 12073
Negative: -1 x -21502013-13 x -1654001-137 x -156949-1781 x -12073


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 21,502,013?

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 21,502,013, 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 21,502,013
-1 -21,502,013

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 21,502,013.

Example:
1 x 21,502,013 = 21,502,013
and
-1 x -21,502,013 = 21,502,013
Notice both answers equal 21,502,013

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 21,502,013 and divide it by 2:

21,502,013 ÷ 2 = 10,751,006.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,751,006.5 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 21,502,013
-1 -21,502,013

Now, we try dividing 21,502,013 by 3:

21,502,013 ÷ 3 = 7,167,337.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 7,167,337.6667 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 21,502,013
-1 -21,502,013

Let's try dividing by 4:

21,502,013 ÷ 4 = 5,375,503.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,375,503.25 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 21,502,013
-1 21,502,013
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1131371,78112,073156,9491,654,00121,502,013
-1-13-137-1,781-12,073-156,949-1,654,001-21,502,013

More Examples

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