Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 23,343,221?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2334322111 x 2122111101 x 2311211111 x 21011
Negative: -1 x -23343221-11 x -2122111-101 x -231121-1111 x -21011


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 23,343,221?

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 23,343,221, 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 23,343,221
-1 -23,343,221

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 23,343,221.

Example:
1 x 23,343,221 = 23,343,221
and
-1 x -23,343,221 = 23,343,221
Notice both answers equal 23,343,221

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 23,343,221 and divide it by 2:

23,343,221 ÷ 2 = 11,671,610.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 11,671,610.5 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 23,343,221
-1 -23,343,221

Now, we try dividing 23,343,221 by 3:

23,343,221 ÷ 3 = 7,781,073.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 7,781,073.6667 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 23,343,221
-1 -23,343,221

Let's try dividing by 4:

23,343,221 ÷ 4 = 5,835,805.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,835,805.25 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 23,343,221
-1 23,343,221
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1111011,11121,011231,1212,122,11123,343,221
-1-11-101-1,111-21,011-231,121-2,122,111-23,343,221

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

Explore more about the number 23,343,221:


Ask a Question