Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 7,431,631?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 7431631211 x 35221
Negative: -1 x -7431631-211 x -35221


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 7,431,631?

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 7,431,631, 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 7,431,631
-1 -7,431,631

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 7,431,631.

Example:
1 x 7,431,631 = 7,431,631
and
-1 x -7,431,631 = 7,431,631
Notice both answers equal 7,431,631

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 7,431,631 and divide it by 2:

7,431,631 ÷ 2 = 3,715,815.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 3,715,815.5 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 7,431,631
-1 -7,431,631

Now, we try dividing 7,431,631 by 3:

7,431,631 ÷ 3 = 2,477,210.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 2,477,210.3333 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 7,431,631
-1 -7,431,631

Let's try dividing by 4:

7,431,631 ÷ 4 = 1,857,907.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,857,907.75 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 7,431,631
-1 7,431,631
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

121135,2217,431,631
-1-211-35,221-7,431,631

More Examples

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