Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 101,243,132?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1012431322 x 506215664 x 25310783
Negative: -1 x -101243132-2 x -50621566-4 x -25310783


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 101,243,132?

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 101,243,132, 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.

1 101,243,132
-1 -101,243,132

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 101,243,132.

Example:
1 x 101,243,132 = 101,243,132
and
-1 x -101,243,132 = 101,243,132
Notice both answers equal 101,243,132

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 101,243,132 and divide it by 2:

101,243,132 ÷ 2 = 50,621,566

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 50,621,566 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 50,621,566 101,243,132
-1 -2 -50,621,566 -101,243,132

Now, we try dividing 101,243,132 by 3:

101,243,132 ÷ 3 = 33,747,710.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 33,747,710.6667 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 2 50,621,566 101,243,132
-1 -2 -50,621,566 -101,243,132

Let's try dividing by 4:

101,243,132 ÷ 4 = 25,310,783

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 25,310,783 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 4 25,310,783 50,621,566 101,243,132
-1 -2 -4 -25,310,783 -50,621,566 101,243,132
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12425,310,78350,621,566101,243,132
-1-2-4-25,310,783-50,621,566-101,243,132

More Examples

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