Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 7,542,241?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 75422417 x 1077463881 x 85611223 x 6167
Negative: -1 x -7542241-7 x -1077463-881 x -8561-1223 x -6167


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 7,542,241?

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 7,542,241, 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 7,542,241
-1 -7,542,241

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 7,542,241.

Example:
1 x 7,542,241 = 7,542,241
and
-1 x -7,542,241 = 7,542,241
Notice both answers equal 7,542,241

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 7,542,241 and divide it by 2:

7,542,241 ÷ 2 = 3,771,120.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 3,771,120.5 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 7,542,241
-1 -7,542,241

Now, we try dividing 7,542,241 by 3:

7,542,241 ÷ 3 = 2,514,080.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 2,514,080.3333 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 7,542,241
-1 -7,542,241

Let's try dividing by 4:

7,542,241 ÷ 4 = 1,885,560.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 1,885,560.25 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 7,542,241
-1 7,542,241
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

178811,2236,1678,5611,077,4637,542,241
-1-7-881-1,223-6,167-8,561-1,077,463-7,542,241

More Examples

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