Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 3,551,821?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 35518217 x 50740313 x 27321723 x 15442791 x 39031161 x 22061299 x 118791697 x 2093
Negative: -1 x -3551821-7 x -507403-13 x -273217-23 x -154427-91 x -39031-161 x -22061-299 x -11879-1697 x -2093


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 3,551,821?

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 3,551,821, 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 3,551,821
-1 -3,551,821

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 3,551,821.

Example:
1 x 3,551,821 = 3,551,821
and
-1 x -3,551,821 = 3,551,821
Notice both answers equal 3,551,821

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 3,551,821 and divide it by 2:

3,551,821 ÷ 2 = 1,775,910.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 1,775,910.5 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 3,551,821
-1 -3,551,821

Now, we try dividing 3,551,821 by 3:

3,551,821 ÷ 3 = 1,183,940.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,183,940.3333 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 3,551,821
-1 -3,551,821

Let's try dividing by 4:

3,551,821 ÷ 4 = 887,955.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 887,955.25 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 3,551,821
-1 3,551,821
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

171323911612991,6972,09311,87922,06139,031154,427273,217507,4033,551,821
-1-7-13-23-91-161-299-1,697-2,093-11,879-22,061-39,031-154,427-273,217-507,403-3,551,821

More Examples

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