Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 5,402,381?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 540238129 x 186289311 x 17371599 x 9019
Negative: -1 x -5402381-29 x -186289-311 x -17371-599 x -9019


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 5,402,381?

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 5,402,381, 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 5,402,381
-1 -5,402,381

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 5,402,381.

Example:
1 x 5,402,381 = 5,402,381
and
-1 x -5,402,381 = 5,402,381
Notice both answers equal 5,402,381

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 5,402,381 and divide it by 2:

5,402,381 ÷ 2 = 2,701,190.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 2,701,190.5 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 5,402,381
-1 -5,402,381

Now, we try dividing 5,402,381 by 3:

5,402,381 ÷ 3 = 1,800,793.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 1,800,793.6667 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 5,402,381
-1 -5,402,381

Let's try dividing by 4:

5,402,381 ÷ 4 = 1,350,595.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,350,595.25 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 5,402,381
-1 5,402,381
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1293115999,01917,371186,2895,402,381
-1-29-311-599-9,019-17,371-186,289-5,402,381

More Examples

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