Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 27,234,131?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 27234131139 x 195929
Negative: -1 x -27234131-139 x -195929


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 27,234,131?

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 27,234,131, 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 27,234,131
-1 -27,234,131

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 27,234,131.

Example:
1 x 27,234,131 = 27,234,131
and
-1 x -27,234,131 = 27,234,131
Notice both answers equal 27,234,131

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 27,234,131 and divide it by 2:

27,234,131 ÷ 2 = 13,617,065.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 13,617,065.5 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 27,234,131
-1 -27,234,131

Now, we try dividing 27,234,131 by 3:

27,234,131 ÷ 3 = 9,078,043.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 9,078,043.6667 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 27,234,131
-1 -27,234,131

Let's try dividing by 4:

27,234,131 ÷ 4 = 6,808,532.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 6,808,532.75 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 27,234,131
-1 27,234,131
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1139195,92927,234,131
-1-139-195,929-27,234,131

More Examples

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