Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 6,918,317?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 69183177 x 988331367 x 188512569 x 2693
Negative: -1 x -6918317-7 x -988331-367 x -18851-2569 x -2693


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 6,918,317?

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 6,918,317, 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 6,918,317
-1 -6,918,317

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 6,918,317.

Example:
1 x 6,918,317 = 6,918,317
and
-1 x -6,918,317 = 6,918,317
Notice both answers equal 6,918,317

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 6,918,317 and divide it by 2:

6,918,317 ÷ 2 = 3,459,158.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 3,459,158.5 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 6,918,317
-1 -6,918,317

Now, we try dividing 6,918,317 by 3:

6,918,317 ÷ 3 = 2,306,105.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 2,306,105.6667 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 6,918,317
-1 -6,918,317

Let's try dividing by 4:

6,918,317 ÷ 4 = 1,729,579.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,729,579.25 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 6,918,317
-1 6,918,317
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

173672,5692,69318,851988,3316,918,317
-1-7-367-2,569-2,693-18,851-988,331-6,918,317

More Examples

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