Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 551,873,003?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 55187300311 x 501702736653 x 829517541 x 73183
Negative: -1 x -551873003-11 x -50170273-6653 x -82951-7541 x -73183


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 551,873,003?

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 551,873,003, 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.

1 551,873,003
-1 -551,873,003

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 551,873,003.

Example:
1 x 551,873,003 = 551,873,003
and
-1 x -551,873,003 = 551,873,003
Notice both answers equal 551,873,003

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 551,873,003 and divide it by 2:

551,873,003 ÷ 2 = 275,936,501.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 275,936,501.5 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:

1 551,873,003
-1 -551,873,003

Now, we try dividing 551,873,003 by 3:

551,873,003 ÷ 3 = 183,957,667.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 183,957,667.6667 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:

1 551,873,003
-1 -551,873,003

Let's try dividing by 4:

551,873,003 ÷ 4 = 137,968,250.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 137,968,250.75 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:

1 551,873,003
-1 551,873,003
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1116,6537,54173,18382,95150,170,273551,873,003
-1-11-6,653-7,541-73,183-82,951-50,170,273-551,873,003

More Examples

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