Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 31,296,877?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3129687747 x 66589179 x 3961633713 x 8429
Negative: -1 x -31296877-47 x -665891-79 x -396163-3713 x -8429


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 31,296,877?

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 31,296,877, 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 31,296,877
-1 -31,296,877

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 31,296,877.

Example:
1 x 31,296,877 = 31,296,877
and
-1 x -31,296,877 = 31,296,877
Notice both answers equal 31,296,877

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 31,296,877 and divide it by 2:

31,296,877 ÷ 2 = 15,648,438.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 15,648,438.5 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 31,296,877
-1 -31,296,877

Now, we try dividing 31,296,877 by 3:

31,296,877 ÷ 3 = 10,432,292.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 10,432,292.3333 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 31,296,877
-1 -31,296,877

Let's try dividing by 4:

31,296,877 ÷ 4 = 7,824,219.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 7,824,219.25 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 31,296,877
-1 31,296,877
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

147793,7138,429396,163665,89131,296,877
-1-47-79-3,713-8,429-396,163-665,891-31,296,877

More Examples

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