Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 31,386,883?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3138688311 x 2853353211 x 1487532321 x 13523
Negative: -1 x -31386883-11 x -2853353-211 x -148753-2321 x -13523


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 31,386,883?

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 31,386,883, 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 31,386,883
-1 -31,386,883

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 31,386,883.

Example:
1 x 31,386,883 = 31,386,883
and
-1 x -31,386,883 = 31,386,883
Notice both answers equal 31,386,883

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 31,386,883 and divide it by 2:

31,386,883 ÷ 2 = 15,693,441.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 15,693,441.5 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 31,386,883
-1 -31,386,883

Now, we try dividing 31,386,883 by 3:

31,386,883 ÷ 3 = 10,462,294.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 10,462,294.3333 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 31,386,883
-1 -31,386,883

Let's try dividing by 4:

31,386,883 ÷ 4 = 7,846,720.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 7,846,720.75 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 31,386,883
-1 31,386,883
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1112112,32113,523148,7532,853,35331,386,883
-1-11-211-2,321-13,523-148,753-2,853,353-31,386,883

More Examples

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