Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 21,548,465?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 215484655 x 4309693
Negative: -1 x -21548465-5 x -4309693


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 21,548,465?

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 21,548,465, 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 21,548,465
-1 -21,548,465

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 21,548,465.

Example:
1 x 21,548,465 = 21,548,465
and
-1 x -21,548,465 = 21,548,465
Notice both answers equal 21,548,465

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 21,548,465 and divide it by 2:

21,548,465 ÷ 2 = 10,774,232.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 10,774,232.5 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 21,548,465
-1 -21,548,465

Now, we try dividing 21,548,465 by 3:

21,548,465 ÷ 3 = 7,182,821.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 7,182,821.6667 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 21,548,465
-1 -21,548,465

Let's try dividing by 4:

21,548,465 ÷ 4 = 5,387,116.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,387,116.25 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 21,548,465
-1 21,548,465
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

154,309,69321,548,465
-1-5-4,309,693-21,548,465

More Examples

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