Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 36,601,553?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 36601553661 x 55373
Negative: -1 x -36601553-661 x -55373


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 36,601,553?

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 36,601,553, 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 36,601,553
-1 -36,601,553

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 36,601,553.

Example:
1 x 36,601,553 = 36,601,553
and
-1 x -36,601,553 = 36,601,553
Notice both answers equal 36,601,553

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 36,601,553 and divide it by 2:

36,601,553 ÷ 2 = 18,300,776.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 18,300,776.5 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 36,601,553
-1 -36,601,553

Now, we try dividing 36,601,553 by 3:

36,601,553 ÷ 3 = 12,200,517.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 12,200,517.6667 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 36,601,553
-1 -36,601,553

Let's try dividing by 4:

36,601,553 ÷ 4 = 9,150,388.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 9,150,388.25 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 36,601,553
-1 36,601,553
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

166155,37336,601,553
-1-661-55,373-36,601,553

More Examples

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