Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 31,588,525?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 315885255 x 631770525 x 1263541
Negative: -1 x -31588525-5 x -6317705-25 x -1263541


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 31,588,525?

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 31,588,525, 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 31,588,525
-1 -31,588,525

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 31,588,525.

Example:
1 x 31,588,525 = 31,588,525
and
-1 x -31,588,525 = 31,588,525
Notice both answers equal 31,588,525

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 31,588,525 and divide it by 2:

31,588,525 ÷ 2 = 15,794,262.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 15,794,262.5 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 31,588,525
-1 -31,588,525

Now, we try dividing 31,588,525 by 3:

31,588,525 ÷ 3 = 10,529,508.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 10,529,508.3333 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 31,588,525
-1 -31,588,525

Let's try dividing by 4:

31,588,525 ÷ 4 = 7,897,131.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 7,897,131.25 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 31,588,525
-1 31,588,525
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15251,263,5416,317,70531,588,525
-1-5-25-1,263,541-6,317,705-31,588,525

More Examples

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