Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 23,421,449?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 234214491361 x 17209
Negative: -1 x -23421449-1361 x -17209


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 23,421,449?

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 23,421,449, 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 23,421,449
-1 -23,421,449

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 23,421,449.

Example:
1 x 23,421,449 = 23,421,449
and
-1 x -23,421,449 = 23,421,449
Notice both answers equal 23,421,449

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 23,421,449 and divide it by 2:

23,421,449 ÷ 2 = 11,710,724.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 11,710,724.5 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 23,421,449
-1 -23,421,449

Now, we try dividing 23,421,449 by 3:

23,421,449 ÷ 3 = 7,807,149.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 7,807,149.6667 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 23,421,449
-1 -23,421,449

Let's try dividing by 4:

23,421,449 ÷ 4 = 5,855,362.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,855,362.25 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 23,421,449
-1 23,421,449
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11,36117,20923,421,449
-1-1,361-17,209-23,421,449

More Examples

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