Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 6,236,321?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 62363217 x 89090313 x 47971791 x 68531
Negative: -1 x -6236321-7 x -890903-13 x -479717-91 x -68531


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 6,236,321?

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 6,236,321, 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 6,236,321
-1 -6,236,321

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 6,236,321.

Example:
1 x 6,236,321 = 6,236,321
and
-1 x -6,236,321 = 6,236,321
Notice both answers equal 6,236,321

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 6,236,321 and divide it by 2:

6,236,321 ÷ 2 = 3,118,160.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 3,118,160.5 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 6,236,321
-1 -6,236,321

Now, we try dividing 6,236,321 by 3:

6,236,321 ÷ 3 = 2,078,773.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 2,078,773.6667 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 6,236,321
-1 -6,236,321

Let's try dividing by 4:

6,236,321 ÷ 4 = 1,559,080.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,559,080.25 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 6,236,321
-1 6,236,321
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17139168,531479,717890,9036,236,321
-1-7-13-91-68,531-479,717-890,903-6,236,321

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

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