Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 31,772,581?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3177258141 x 774941461 x 689211681 x 18901
Negative: -1 x -31772581-41 x -774941-461 x -68921-1681 x -18901


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 31,772,581?

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 31,772,581, 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 31,772,581
-1 -31,772,581

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 31,772,581.

Example:
1 x 31,772,581 = 31,772,581
and
-1 x -31,772,581 = 31,772,581
Notice both answers equal 31,772,581

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 31,772,581 and divide it by 2:

31,772,581 ÷ 2 = 15,886,290.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 15,886,290.5 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 31,772,581
-1 -31,772,581

Now, we try dividing 31,772,581 by 3:

31,772,581 ÷ 3 = 10,590,860.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 10,590,860.3333 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 31,772,581
-1 -31,772,581

Let's try dividing by 4:

31,772,581 ÷ 4 = 7,943,145.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 7,943,145.25 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 31,772,581
-1 31,772,581
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1414611,68118,90168,921774,94131,772,581
-1-41-461-1,681-18,901-68,921-774,941-31,772,581

More Examples

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