Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 31,339,171?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3133917131 x 1010941961 x 32611
Negative: -1 x -31339171-31 x -1010941-961 x -32611


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 31,339,171?

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 31,339,171, 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 31,339,171
-1 -31,339,171

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 31,339,171.

Example:
1 x 31,339,171 = 31,339,171
and
-1 x -31,339,171 = 31,339,171
Notice both answers equal 31,339,171

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 31,339,171 and divide it by 2:

31,339,171 ÷ 2 = 15,669,585.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 15,669,585.5 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 31,339,171
-1 -31,339,171

Now, we try dividing 31,339,171 by 3:

31,339,171 ÷ 3 = 10,446,390.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 10,446,390.3333 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 31,339,171
-1 -31,339,171

Let's try dividing by 4:

31,339,171 ÷ 4 = 7,834,792.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 7,834,792.75 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 31,339,171
-1 31,339,171
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

13196132,6111,010,94131,339,171
-1-31-961-32,611-1,010,941-31,339,171

More Examples

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