Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 120,637,324?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1206373242 x 603186624 x 30159331
Negative: -1 x -120637324-2 x -60318662-4 x -30159331


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 120,637,324?

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 120,637,324, 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.

1 120,637,324
-1 -120,637,324

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 120,637,324.

Example:
1 x 120,637,324 = 120,637,324
and
-1 x -120,637,324 = 120,637,324
Notice both answers equal 120,637,324

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 120,637,324 and divide it by 2:

120,637,324 ÷ 2 = 60,318,662

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 60,318,662 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 60,318,662 120,637,324
-1 -2 -60,318,662 -120,637,324

Now, we try dividing 120,637,324 by 3:

120,637,324 ÷ 3 = 40,212,441.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 40,212,441.3333 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 2 60,318,662 120,637,324
-1 -2 -60,318,662 -120,637,324

Let's try dividing by 4:

120,637,324 ÷ 4 = 30,159,331

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 30,159,331 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 30,159,331 60,318,662 120,637,324
-1 -2 -4 -30,159,331 -60,318,662 120,637,324
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12430,159,33160,318,662120,637,324
-1-2-4-30,159,331-60,318,662-120,637,324

More Examples

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