Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 46,000,781?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 46000781131 x 351151
Negative: -1 x -46000781-131 x -351151


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 46,000,781?

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 46,000,781, 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 46,000,781
-1 -46,000,781

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 46,000,781.

Example:
1 x 46,000,781 = 46,000,781
and
-1 x -46,000,781 = 46,000,781
Notice both answers equal 46,000,781

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 46,000,781 and divide it by 2:

46,000,781 ÷ 2 = 23,000,390.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 23,000,390.5 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 46,000,781
-1 -46,000,781

Now, we try dividing 46,000,781 by 3:

46,000,781 ÷ 3 = 15,333,593.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 15,333,593.6667 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 46,000,781
-1 -46,000,781

Let's try dividing by 4:

46,000,781 ÷ 4 = 11,500,195.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 11,500,195.25 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 46,000,781
-1 46,000,781
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1131351,15146,000,781
-1-131-351,151-46,000,781

More Examples

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