Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 47,044,421?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 4704442179 x 59549989 x 5285896691 x 7031
Negative: -1 x -47044421-79 x -595499-89 x -528589-6691 x -7031


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 47,044,421?

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 47,044,421, 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 47,044,421
-1 -47,044,421

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 47,044,421.

Example:
1 x 47,044,421 = 47,044,421
and
-1 x -47,044,421 = 47,044,421
Notice both answers equal 47,044,421

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 47,044,421 and divide it by 2:

47,044,421 ÷ 2 = 23,522,210.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 23,522,210.5 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 47,044,421
-1 -47,044,421

Now, we try dividing 47,044,421 by 3:

47,044,421 ÷ 3 = 15,681,473.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 15,681,473.6667 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 47,044,421
-1 -47,044,421

Let's try dividing by 4:

47,044,421 ÷ 4 = 11,761,105.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 11,761,105.25 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 47,044,421
-1 47,044,421
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

179896,6917,031528,589595,49947,044,421
-1-79-89-6,691-7,031-528,589-595,499-47,044,421

More Examples

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