Mathematics · Algebra

Sum of Divisors Calculator

Add every positive divisor of a whole number.

Runs locally
Your numbers

Inputs and results stay in this browser. Change one value at a time to explore the relationship.

Your inputCalculatedPassed forward in chains
Sum of positive divisors28
Proper-divisor sum16

Calculation steps

  1. Apply the prime-power geometric-series formula to 12.
  2. σ(12)=28; proper sum=16.

Understand Sum of divisors

One idea, three depths

Choose how deeply to explain Sum of divisors

Sum of divisors: Add every positive divisor of a whole number.

Age 5Explain it to a 5-year-oldStart with a picture

Imagine using Sum of divisors to answer this question: add every positive divisor of a whole number? Enter Whole number n; the calculator shows Sum of positive divisors. For example: The divisors of 12 sum to 1+2+3+4+6+12=28. The answer tells you Sum of positive divisors.

Age 15Explain it to a 15-year-oldConnect it to the formula

Each prime contributes a finite geometric series of allowed powers. The rule is σ(n)=∏(p^(a+1)−1)/(p−1). Its input values are Whole number n, and the main result is Sum of positive divisors. For example: The divisors of 12 sum to 1+2+3+4+6+12=28.

CollegeExplain it at college levelState the model precisely

This calculator evaluates the stated sum of divisors relation over the valid integer domain stated below. The implemented relation is σ(n)=∏(p^(a+1)−1)/(p−1), evaluated from Whole number n to produce Sum of positive divisors. Each prime contributes a finite geometric series of allowed powers. This includes n itself; proper-divisor sums exclude it.

Inputs and valid domain

  • Whole number n must be an integer, at least 1, at most 1000000000.

Important boundary: This includes n itself; proper-divisor sums exclude it.

The formula

σ(n)=∏(p^(a+1)−1)/(p−1)

How the calculator works through it

It substitutes Whole number n into the formula and exposes every numerical step above. The main output is Sum of positive divisors, accompanied by Proper-divisor sum.

Read the result correctly

The Sum of positive divisors is the direct answer to “add every positive divisor of a whole number.” Read it with the units shown beside the inputs; a sign, angle, percentage or rate changes what the number means.

A worked check

The divisors of 12 sum to 1+2+3+4+6+12=28.

Where this model stops being reliable

This includes n itself; proper-divisor sums exclude it.

Learn it by changing one value

Begin with the worked example, then change one value while keeping the others fixed. Compare the new result and calculation steps to identify which part of the formula changed.

Dictionary terms behind this calculator

Before studying the codeWhat you should know firstUse the calculator immediately, or check the foundations before reading the implementation.

These foundations help you understand why Sum of divisors works. They never block the calculator, and “optional” means useful context rather than a hidden requirement.

Hard requirements

  • Reading formulas and substituting values

    Sum of divisors uses σ(n)=∏(p^(a+1)−1)/(p−1). You need to recognise what each side represents before substituting the stated inputs or rearranging the relationship.

    Review this foundation about 4 min

Strong support

Optional enrichment

  • Powers and exponents

    Powers are not required for every Sum of divisors calculation, but they make related algebraic forms and code easier to read.

    Review this foundation about 4 min
Learn the missing foundationsI already know these — show the code

Mathematics → algorithm → program

Implement this calculation in code

These are direct reference implementations of the calculator's principal relationship and first output. They run locally and include a small known-answer check where the language supports it.

Algorithm

  1. Factor n into prime powers.
  2. Build each geometric sum 1+p+...+p^e.
  3. Multiply the geometric sums.
Python
            def sum_of_divisors(n: int) -> int:
    remaining, total, p = n, 1, 2
    while p * p <= remaining:
        power, term = 1, 1
        while remaining % p == 0:
            remaining //= p; power *= p; term += power
        total *= term
        p = 3 if p == 2 else p + 2
    return total * (1 + remaining if remaining > 1 else 1)
assert sum_of_divisors(12) == 28
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
C
            #include <assert.h>
#include <stdint.h>
uint64_t sum_of_divisors(uint64_t n){uint64_t sum=1;for(uint64_t p=2;p<=n/p;p+=(p==2?1:2)){uint64_t power=1,term=1;while(n%p==0){n/=p;power*=p;term+=power;}sum*=term;}if(n>1)sum*=1+n;return sum;}
int main(void){assert(sum_of_divisors(12)==28);}
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
C++
            #include <cassert>
#include <cstdint>
std::uint64_t sum_of_divisors(std::uint64_t n){std::uint64_t sum=1;for(std::uint64_t p=2;p<=n/p;p+=(p==2?1:2)){std::uint64_t power=1,term=1;while(n%p==0){n/=p;power*=p;term+=power;}sum*=term;}if(n>1)sum*=1+n;return sum;}
int main(){assert(sum_of_divisors(12)==28);}
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
Linux x86-64 assembly

x86-64 NASM · System V ABI · Linux · integer arguments in rdi, rsi and rdx

            ; uint64_t sum_of_divisors(uint64_t n)
global sum_of_divisors
section .text
sum_of_divisors:
    mov r8, 1
    mov rcx, 2
.factor:
    mov rax, rcx
    imul rax, rcx
    cmp rax, rdi
    ja .remaining
    mov r9, 1
    mov r10, 1
.divide:
    mov rax, rdi
    xor edx, edx
    div rcx
    test rdx, rdx
    jnz .combine
    mov rdi, rax
    imul r9, rcx
    add r10, r9
    jmp .divide
.combine:
    imul r8, r10
    cmp rcx, 2
    jne .odd
    mov rcx, 3
    jmp .factor
.odd:
    add rcx, 2
    jmp .factor
.remaining:
    cmp rdi, 1
    jbe .done
    inc rdi
    imul r8, rdi
.done:
    mov rax, r8
    ret
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
MATLAB
            function result = sum_of_divisors(n)
    n = abs(round(n)); result = 0;
    for k = 1:floor(sqrt(n))
        if mod(n, k) == 0
            result = result + k;
            if k ~= n / k, result = result + n / k; end
        end
    end
end
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
Wolfram Language
            ClearAll[mwCalculate];
mwCalculate[n_Integer?Positive] := DivisorSigma[1, n];
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            

Continue in mathematical software

The downloaded file includes your current inputs and first calculated result. It is created locally.

Floating-point answers can differ slightly by language, compiler and processor. Compare within a suitable tolerance rather than assuming every decimal representation will be identical.

Supporting sourcesAcademic referencesPrimary standards, textbooks and complete citations

Standards, reading and academic references

Use the calculator as the worked interaction, then consult the primary standards and academic textbooks listed below. MW SysArc links to the original sources; the explanation on this page is original and does not reproduce them.

Algebra and Trigonometry 2e

Read the related free OpenStax mathematics chapters
Cite this book
APA 7
Abramson, J. (2021). Algebra and trigonometry 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/algebra-and-trigonometry-2e/pages/1-introduction-to-prerequisites
MLA 9
Abramson, Jay. Algebra and Trigonometry 2e. OpenStax, 2021, https://openstax.org/books/algebra-and-trigonometry-2e/pages/1-introduction-to-prerequisites.
Chicago author-date
Abramson, Jay. 2021. Algebra and Trigonometry 2e. Houston, TX: OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/algebra-and-trigonometry-2e/pages/1-introduction-to-prerequisites.

OpenStax entries are free to read online. Follow the licence shown on each linked source before redistributing or adapting its content.

Reuse the page responsiblyCite this pageAPA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, BibTeX and RIS

These formats cite this calculator page itself. They are separate from the academic references above, which support the mathematical method and terminology.

APA 7

MW SysArc. (2026, July 21). Sum of Divisors Calculator. MW SysArc Tools. https://math.mwsysarc.com/algebra/sum-of-positive-divisors

MLA 9

MW SysArc. “Sum of Divisors Calculator.” MW SysArc Tools, 21 July 2026, https://math.mwsysarc.com/algebra/sum-of-positive-divisors. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Chicago 17

MW SysArc. “Sum of Divisors Calculator.” MW SysArc Tools. Published July 21, 2026. Accessed August 31, 2026. https://math.mwsysarc.com/algebra/sum-of-positive-divisors.

Harvard

MW SysArc (2026) ‘Sum of Divisors Calculator’, MW SysArc Tools. Published 21 July 2026. Available at: https://math.mwsysarc.com/algebra/sum-of-positive-divisors (Accessed: 31 August 2026).

BibTeX and RIS records

BibTeX

@misc{mwsysarc_sum_of_divisors_2026,
  author = {{MW SysArc}},
  title = {Sum of Divisors Calculator},
  howpublished = {MW SysArc Tools},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://math.mwsysarc.com/algebra/sum-of-positive-divisors},
  note = {Published July 21, 2026; accessed August 31, 2026}
}

RIS

TY  - ELEC
AU  - MW SysArc
TI  - Sum of Divisors Calculator
T2  - MW SysArc Tools
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026-07-21
Y2  - 2026-08-31
UR  - https://math.mwsysarc.com/algebra/sum-of-positive-divisors
N1  - Published July 21, 2026
ER  -

Clear answers

Frequently asked questions

What does the Sum of divisors do?

Add every positive divisor of a whole number.

How does the Sum of divisors work?

The calculator applies σ(n)=∏(p^(a+1)−1)/(p−1). Each prime contributes a finite geometric series of allowed powers.

What can I learn from the Sum of divisors?

It connects the mathematical rule to your chosen numbers and shows each calculation step. Change one input at a time to see how the result responds.

Does MW SysArc receive or store what I enter?

No. The calculation runs locally in your browser. MW SysArc does not receive or store your calculation inputs.

How should I use the result?

Use the steps to understand the method, then verify important school or professional work using the notation and rounding rules required in your setting.

Last reviewed . Calculations tested .

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