Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 155,241,421?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 15524142123 x 6749627
Negative: -1 x -155241421-23 x -6749627


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 155,241,421?

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 155,241,421, 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.

1 155,241,421
-1 -155,241,421

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 155,241,421.

Example:
1 x 155,241,421 = 155,241,421
and
-1 x -155,241,421 = 155,241,421
Notice both answers equal 155,241,421

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 155,241,421 and divide it by 2:

155,241,421 ÷ 2 = 77,620,710.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 77,620,710.5 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:

1 155,241,421
-1 -155,241,421

Now, we try dividing 155,241,421 by 3:

155,241,421 ÷ 3 = 51,747,140.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 51,747,140.3333 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:

1 155,241,421
-1 -155,241,421

Let's try dividing by 4:

155,241,421 ÷ 4 = 38,810,355.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 38,810,355.25 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:

1 155,241,421
-1 155,241,421
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1236,749,627155,241,421
-1-23-6,749,627-155,241,421

More Examples

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