Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 4,331,171?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 433117113 x 333167317 x 136631051 x 4121
Negative: -1 x -4331171-13 x -333167-317 x -13663-1051 x -4121


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 4,331,171?

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 4,331,171, 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 4,331,171
-1 -4,331,171

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 4,331,171.

Example:
1 x 4,331,171 = 4,331,171
and
-1 x -4,331,171 = 4,331,171
Notice both answers equal 4,331,171

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 4,331,171 and divide it by 2:

4,331,171 ÷ 2 = 2,165,585.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 2,165,585.5 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 4,331,171
-1 -4,331,171

Now, we try dividing 4,331,171 by 3:

4,331,171 ÷ 3 = 1,443,723.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,443,723.6667 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 4,331,171
-1 -4,331,171

Let's try dividing by 4:

4,331,171 ÷ 4 = 1,082,792.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,082,792.75 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 4,331,171
-1 4,331,171
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1133171,0514,12113,663333,1674,331,171
-1-13-317-1,051-4,121-13,663-333,167-4,331,171

More Examples

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