Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 71,321,515?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 713215155 x 14264303137 x 520595685 x 104119
Negative: -1 x -71321515-5 x -14264303-137 x -520595-685 x -104119


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 71,321,515?

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 71,321,515, 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 71,321,515
-1 -71,321,515

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 71,321,515.

Example:
1 x 71,321,515 = 71,321,515
and
-1 x -71,321,515 = 71,321,515
Notice both answers equal 71,321,515

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 71,321,515 and divide it by 2:

71,321,515 ÷ 2 = 35,660,757.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 35,660,757.5 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 71,321,515
-1 -71,321,515

Now, we try dividing 71,321,515 by 3:

71,321,515 ÷ 3 = 23,773,838.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 23,773,838.3333 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 71,321,515
-1 -71,321,515

Let's try dividing by 4:

71,321,515 ÷ 4 = 17,830,378.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 17,830,378.75 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 71,321,515
-1 71,321,515
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15137685104,119520,59514,264,30371,321,515
-1-5-137-685-104,119-520,595-14,264,303-71,321,515

More Examples

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