Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 23,642,359?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2364235913 x 181864317 x 1390727221 x 106979
Negative: -1 x -23642359-13 x -1818643-17 x -1390727-221 x -106979


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 23,642,359?

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 23,642,359, 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 23,642,359
-1 -23,642,359

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 23,642,359.

Example:
1 x 23,642,359 = 23,642,359
and
-1 x -23,642,359 = 23,642,359
Notice both answers equal 23,642,359

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 23,642,359 and divide it by 2:

23,642,359 ÷ 2 = 11,821,179.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 11,821,179.5 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 23,642,359
-1 -23,642,359

Now, we try dividing 23,642,359 by 3:

23,642,359 ÷ 3 = 7,880,786.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 7,880,786.3333 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 23,642,359
-1 -23,642,359

Let's try dividing by 4:

23,642,359 ÷ 4 = 5,910,589.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 5,910,589.75 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 23,642,359
-1 23,642,359
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11317221106,9791,390,7271,818,64323,642,359
-1-13-17-221-106,979-1,390,727-1,818,643-23,642,359

More Examples

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