Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 26,271,721?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 262717217 x 37531031277 x 205732939 x 8939
Negative: -1 x -26271721-7 x -3753103-1277 x -20573-2939 x -8939


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 26,271,721?

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 26,271,721, 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 26,271,721
-1 -26,271,721

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 26,271,721.

Example:
1 x 26,271,721 = 26,271,721
and
-1 x -26,271,721 = 26,271,721
Notice both answers equal 26,271,721

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 26,271,721 and divide it by 2:

26,271,721 ÷ 2 = 13,135,860.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 13,135,860.5 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 26,271,721
-1 -26,271,721

Now, we try dividing 26,271,721 by 3:

26,271,721 ÷ 3 = 8,757,240.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 8,757,240.3333 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 26,271,721
-1 -26,271,721

Let's try dividing by 4:

26,271,721 ÷ 4 = 6,567,930.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 6,567,930.25 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 26,271,721
-1 26,271,721
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171,2772,9398,93920,5733,753,10326,271,721
-1-7-1,277-2,939-8,939-20,573-3,753,103-26,271,721

More Examples

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