Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 35,017,231?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 35017231109 x 321259113 x 3098872843 x 12317
Negative: -1 x -35017231-109 x -321259-113 x -309887-2843 x -12317


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 35,017,231?

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 35,017,231, 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 35,017,231
-1 -35,017,231

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 35,017,231.

Example:
1 x 35,017,231 = 35,017,231
and
-1 x -35,017,231 = 35,017,231
Notice both answers equal 35,017,231

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 35,017,231 and divide it by 2:

35,017,231 ÷ 2 = 17,508,615.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 17,508,615.5 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 35,017,231
-1 -35,017,231

Now, we try dividing 35,017,231 by 3:

35,017,231 ÷ 3 = 11,672,410.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 11,672,410.3333 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 35,017,231
-1 -35,017,231

Let's try dividing by 4:

35,017,231 ÷ 4 = 8,754,307.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 8,754,307.75 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 35,017,231
-1 35,017,231
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11091132,84312,317309,887321,25935,017,231
-1-109-113-2,843-12,317-309,887-321,259-35,017,231

More Examples

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