Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 24,357,421?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2435742111 x 221431147 x 518243121 x 201301517 x 471134283 x 5687
Negative: -1 x -24357421-11 x -2214311-47 x -518243-121 x -201301-517 x -47113-4283 x -5687


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 24,357,421?

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 24,357,421, 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 24,357,421
-1 -24,357,421

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 24,357,421.

Example:
1 x 24,357,421 = 24,357,421
and
-1 x -24,357,421 = 24,357,421
Notice both answers equal 24,357,421

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 24,357,421 and divide it by 2:

24,357,421 ÷ 2 = 12,178,710.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 12,178,710.5 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 24,357,421
-1 -24,357,421

Now, we try dividing 24,357,421 by 3:

24,357,421 ÷ 3 = 8,119,140.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 8,119,140.3333 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 24,357,421
-1 -24,357,421

Let's try dividing by 4:

24,357,421 ÷ 4 = 6,089,355.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 6,089,355.25 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 24,357,421
-1 24,357,421
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

111471215174,2835,68747,113201,301518,2432,214,31124,357,421
-1-11-47-121-517-4,283-5,687-47,113-201,301-518,243-2,214,311-24,357,421

More Examples

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