Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 21,541,525?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 215415255 x 430830525 x 861661139 x 154975695 x 309953475 x 6199
Negative: -1 x -21541525-5 x -4308305-25 x -861661-139 x -154975-695 x -30995-3475 x -6199


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 21,541,525?

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 21,541,525, 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 21,541,525
-1 -21,541,525

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 21,541,525.

Example:
1 x 21,541,525 = 21,541,525
and
-1 x -21,541,525 = 21,541,525
Notice both answers equal 21,541,525

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 21,541,525 and divide it by 2:

21,541,525 ÷ 2 = 10,770,762.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,770,762.5 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 21,541,525
-1 -21,541,525

Now, we try dividing 21,541,525 by 3:

21,541,525 ÷ 3 = 7,180,508.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 7,180,508.3333 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 21,541,525
-1 -21,541,525

Let's try dividing by 4:

21,541,525 ÷ 4 = 5,385,381.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,385,381.25 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 21,541,525
-1 21,541,525
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15251396953,4756,19930,995154,975861,6614,308,30521,541,525
-1-5-25-139-695-3,475-6,199-30,995-154,975-861,661-4,308,305-21,541,525

More Examples

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