Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 7,203,917?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 72039177 x 102913161 x 118097427 x 16871
Negative: -1 x -7203917-7 x -1029131-61 x -118097-427 x -16871


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 7,203,917?

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 7,203,917, 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 7,203,917
-1 -7,203,917

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 7,203,917.

Example:
1 x 7,203,917 = 7,203,917
and
-1 x -7,203,917 = 7,203,917
Notice both answers equal 7,203,917

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 7,203,917 and divide it by 2:

7,203,917 ÷ 2 = 3,601,958.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 3,601,958.5 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 7,203,917
-1 -7,203,917

Now, we try dividing 7,203,917 by 3:

7,203,917 ÷ 3 = 2,401,305.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 2,401,305.6667 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 7,203,917
-1 -7,203,917

Let's try dividing by 4:

7,203,917 ÷ 4 = 1,800,979.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,800,979.25 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 7,203,917
-1 7,203,917
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

176142716,871118,0971,029,1317,203,917
-1-7-61-427-16,871-118,097-1,029,131-7,203,917

More Examples

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