Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 46,145,401?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4614540137 x 124717379 x 5841192923 x 15787
Negative: -1 x -46145401-37 x -1247173-79 x -584119-2923 x -15787


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 46,145,401?

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 46,145,401, 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 46,145,401
-1 -46,145,401

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 46,145,401.

Example:
1 x 46,145,401 = 46,145,401
and
-1 x -46,145,401 = 46,145,401
Notice both answers equal 46,145,401

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 46,145,401 and divide it by 2:

46,145,401 ÷ 2 = 23,072,700.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 23,072,700.5 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 46,145,401
-1 -46,145,401

Now, we try dividing 46,145,401 by 3:

46,145,401 ÷ 3 = 15,381,800.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 15,381,800.3333 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 46,145,401
-1 -46,145,401

Let's try dividing by 4:

46,145,401 ÷ 4 = 11,536,350.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 11,536,350.25 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 46,145,401
-1 46,145,401
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

137792,92315,787584,1191,247,17346,145,401
-1-37-79-2,923-15,787-584,119-1,247,173-46,145,401

More Examples

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