Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 123,464,521?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 12346452159 x 2092619101 x 12224215959 x 20719
Negative: -1 x -123464521-59 x -2092619-101 x -1222421-5959 x -20719


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 123,464,521?

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 123,464,521, 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.

1 123,464,521
-1 -123,464,521

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 123,464,521.

Example:
1 x 123,464,521 = 123,464,521
and
-1 x -123,464,521 = 123,464,521
Notice both answers equal 123,464,521

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 123,464,521 and divide it by 2:

123,464,521 ÷ 2 = 61,732,260.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 61,732,260.5 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:

1 123,464,521
-1 -123,464,521

Now, we try dividing 123,464,521 by 3:

123,464,521 ÷ 3 = 41,154,840.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 41,154,840.3333 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:

1 123,464,521
-1 -123,464,521

Let's try dividing by 4:

123,464,521 ÷ 4 = 30,866,130.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 30,866,130.25 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:

1 123,464,521
-1 123,464,521
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1591015,95920,7191,222,4212,092,619123,464,521
-1-59-101-5,959-20,719-1,222,421-2,092,619-123,464,521

More Examples

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