Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 5,317,237?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 531723729 x 183353181 x 293771013 x 5249
Negative: -1 x -5317237-29 x -183353-181 x -29377-1013 x -5249


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 5,317,237?

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 5,317,237, 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 5,317,237
-1 -5,317,237

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 5,317,237.

Example:
1 x 5,317,237 = 5,317,237
and
-1 x -5,317,237 = 5,317,237
Notice both answers equal 5,317,237

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 5,317,237 and divide it by 2:

5,317,237 ÷ 2 = 2,658,618.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 2,658,618.5 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 5,317,237
-1 -5,317,237

Now, we try dividing 5,317,237 by 3:

5,317,237 ÷ 3 = 1,772,412.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,772,412.3333 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 5,317,237
-1 -5,317,237

Let's try dividing by 4:

5,317,237 ÷ 4 = 1,329,309.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,329,309.25 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 5,317,237
-1 5,317,237
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1291811,0135,24929,377183,3535,317,237
-1-29-181-1,013-5,249-29,377-183,353-5,317,237

More Examples

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