Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 142,837,467?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1428374673 x 47612489
Negative: -1 x -142837467-3 x -47612489


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 142,837,467?

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 142,837,467, 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.

1 142,837,467
-1 -142,837,467

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 142,837,467.

Example:
1 x 142,837,467 = 142,837,467
and
-1 x -142,837,467 = 142,837,467
Notice both answers equal 142,837,467

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 142,837,467 and divide it by 2:

142,837,467 ÷ 2 = 71,418,733.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 71,418,733.5 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:

1 142,837,467
-1 -142,837,467

Now, we try dividing 142,837,467 by 3:

142,837,467 ÷ 3 = 47,612,489

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 47,612,489 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 3 47,612,489 142,837,467
-1 -3 -47,612,489 -142,837,467

Let's try dividing by 4:

142,837,467 ÷ 4 = 35,709,366.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 35,709,366.75 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 3 47,612,489 142,837,467
-1 -3 -47,612,489 142,837,467
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1347,612,489142,837,467
-1-3-47,612,489-142,837,467

More Examples

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