Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 33,177,871?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 33177871151 x 219721
Negative: -1 x -33177871-151 x -219721


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 33,177,871?

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 33,177,871, 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 33,177,871
-1 -33,177,871

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 33,177,871.

Example:
1 x 33,177,871 = 33,177,871
and
-1 x -33,177,871 = 33,177,871
Notice both answers equal 33,177,871

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 33,177,871 and divide it by 2:

33,177,871 ÷ 2 = 16,588,935.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 16,588,935.5 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 33,177,871
-1 -33,177,871

Now, we try dividing 33,177,871 by 3:

33,177,871 ÷ 3 = 11,059,290.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 11,059,290.3333 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 33,177,871
-1 -33,177,871

Let's try dividing by 4:

33,177,871 ÷ 4 = 8,294,467.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 8,294,467.75 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 33,177,871
-1 33,177,871
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1151219,72133,177,871
-1-151-219,721-33,177,871

More Examples

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