Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 56,121,431?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 5612143147 x 11940731069 x 524991117 x 50243
Negative: -1 x -56121431-47 x -1194073-1069 x -52499-1117 x -50243


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 56,121,431?

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 56,121,431, 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 56,121,431
-1 -56,121,431

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 56,121,431.

Example:
1 x 56,121,431 = 56,121,431
and
-1 x -56,121,431 = 56,121,431
Notice both answers equal 56,121,431

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 56,121,431 and divide it by 2:

56,121,431 ÷ 2 = 28,060,715.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 28,060,715.5 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 56,121,431
-1 -56,121,431

Now, we try dividing 56,121,431 by 3:

56,121,431 ÷ 3 = 18,707,143.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 18,707,143.6667 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 56,121,431
-1 -56,121,431

Let's try dividing by 4:

56,121,431 ÷ 4 = 14,030,357.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 14,030,357.75 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 56,121,431
-1 56,121,431
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1471,0691,11750,24352,4991,194,07356,121,431
-1-47-1,069-1,117-50,243-52,499-1,194,073-56,121,431

More Examples

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