Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 43,403,231?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4340323123 x 188709747 x 9234731081 x 40151
Negative: -1 x -43403231-23 x -1887097-47 x -923473-1081 x -40151


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 43,403,231?

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 43,403,231, 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 43,403,231
-1 -43,403,231

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 43,403,231.

Example:
1 x 43,403,231 = 43,403,231
and
-1 x -43,403,231 = 43,403,231
Notice both answers equal 43,403,231

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 43,403,231 and divide it by 2:

43,403,231 ÷ 2 = 21,701,615.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 21,701,615.5 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 43,403,231
-1 -43,403,231

Now, we try dividing 43,403,231 by 3:

43,403,231 ÷ 3 = 14,467,743.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 14,467,743.6667 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 43,403,231
-1 -43,403,231

Let's try dividing by 4:

43,403,231 ÷ 4 = 10,850,807.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 10,850,807.75 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 43,403,231
-1 43,403,231
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123471,08140,151923,4731,887,09743,403,231
-1-23-47-1,081-40,151-923,473-1,887,097-43,403,231

More Examples

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