Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 4,832,431?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 48324312113 x 2287
Negative: -1 x -4832431-2113 x -2287


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 4,832,431?

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 4,832,431, 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 4,832,431
-1 -4,832,431

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 4,832,431.

Example:
1 x 4,832,431 = 4,832,431
and
-1 x -4,832,431 = 4,832,431
Notice both answers equal 4,832,431

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 4,832,431 and divide it by 2:

4,832,431 ÷ 2 = 2,416,215.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 2,416,215.5 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 4,832,431
-1 -4,832,431

Now, we try dividing 4,832,431 by 3:

4,832,431 ÷ 3 = 1,610,810.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,610,810.3333 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 4,832,431
-1 -4,832,431

Let's try dividing by 4:

4,832,431 ÷ 4 = 1,208,107.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,208,107.75 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 4,832,431
-1 4,832,431
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12,1132,2874,832,431
-1-2,113-2,287-4,832,431

More Examples

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