Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 31,211,401?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3121140113 x 2400877883 x 353472719 x 11479
Negative: -1 x -31211401-13 x -2400877-883 x -35347-2719 x -11479


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 31,211,401?

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 31,211,401, 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 31,211,401
-1 -31,211,401

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 31,211,401.

Example:
1 x 31,211,401 = 31,211,401
and
-1 x -31,211,401 = 31,211,401
Notice both answers equal 31,211,401

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 31,211,401 and divide it by 2:

31,211,401 ÷ 2 = 15,605,700.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 15,605,700.5 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 31,211,401
-1 -31,211,401

Now, we try dividing 31,211,401 by 3:

31,211,401 ÷ 3 = 10,403,800.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 10,403,800.3333 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 31,211,401
-1 -31,211,401

Let's try dividing by 4:

31,211,401 ÷ 4 = 7,802,850.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 7,802,850.25 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 31,211,401
-1 31,211,401
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1138832,71911,47935,3472,400,87731,211,401
-1-13-883-2,719-11,479-35,347-2,400,877-31,211,401

More Examples

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