Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 50,420,431?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 50420431199 x 253369
Negative: -1 x -50420431-199 x -253369


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 50,420,431?

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 50,420,431, 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 50,420,431
-1 -50,420,431

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 50,420,431.

Example:
1 x 50,420,431 = 50,420,431
and
-1 x -50,420,431 = 50,420,431
Notice both answers equal 50,420,431

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 50,420,431 and divide it by 2:

50,420,431 ÷ 2 = 25,210,215.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 25,210,215.5 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 50,420,431
-1 -50,420,431

Now, we try dividing 50,420,431 by 3:

50,420,431 ÷ 3 = 16,806,810.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 16,806,810.3333 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 50,420,431
-1 -50,420,431

Let's try dividing by 4:

50,420,431 ÷ 4 = 12,605,107.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 12,605,107.75 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 50,420,431
-1 50,420,431
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1199253,36950,420,431
-1-199-253,369-50,420,431

More Examples

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