Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 147,391,691?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 147391691
Negative: -1 x -147391691


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 147,391,691?

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 147,391,691, 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.

1 147,391,691
-1 -147,391,691

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 147,391,691.

Example:
1 x 147,391,691 = 147,391,691
and
-1 x -147,391,691 = 147,391,691
Notice both answers equal 147,391,691

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 147,391,691 and divide it by 2:

147,391,691 ÷ 2 = 73,695,845.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 73,695,845.5 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:

1 147,391,691
-1 -147,391,691

Now, we try dividing 147,391,691 by 3:

147,391,691 ÷ 3 = 49,130,563.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 49,130,563.6667 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:

1 147,391,691
-1 -147,391,691

Let's try dividing by 4:

147,391,691 ÷ 4 = 36,847,922.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 36,847,922.75 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:

1 147,391,691
-1 147,391,691
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1147,391,691
-1-147,391,691

More Examples

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