Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 15,341,549?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 153415492711 x 5659
Negative: -1 x -15341549-2711 x -5659


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 15,341,549?

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 15,341,549, 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 15,341,549
-1 -15,341,549

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 15,341,549.

Example:
1 x 15,341,549 = 15,341,549
and
-1 x -15,341,549 = 15,341,549
Notice both answers equal 15,341,549

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 15,341,549 and divide it by 2:

15,341,549 ÷ 2 = 7,670,774.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 7,670,774.5 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 15,341,549
-1 -15,341,549

Now, we try dividing 15,341,549 by 3:

15,341,549 ÷ 3 = 5,113,849.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 5,113,849.6667 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 15,341,549
-1 -15,341,549

Let's try dividing by 4:

15,341,549 ÷ 4 = 3,835,387.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 3,835,387.25 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 15,341,549
-1 15,341,549
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12,7115,65915,341,549
-1-2,711-5,659-15,341,549

More Examples

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