Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 531,028,633?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5310286335527 x 96079
Negative: -1 x -531028633-5527 x -96079


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 531,028,633?

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 531,028,633, 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.

1 531,028,633
-1 -531,028,633

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 531,028,633.

Example:
1 x 531,028,633 = 531,028,633
and
-1 x -531,028,633 = 531,028,633
Notice both answers equal 531,028,633

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 531,028,633 and divide it by 2:

531,028,633 ÷ 2 = 265,514,316.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 265,514,316.5 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:

1 531,028,633
-1 -531,028,633

Now, we try dividing 531,028,633 by 3:

531,028,633 ÷ 3 = 177,009,544.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 177,009,544.3333 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:

1 531,028,633
-1 -531,028,633

Let's try dividing by 4:

531,028,633 ÷ 4 = 132,757,158.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 132,757,158.25 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:

1 531,028,633
-1 531,028,633
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15,52796,079531,028,633
-1-5,527-96,079-531,028,633

More Examples

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