Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 155,846,311?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 15584631197 x 1606663
Negative: -1 x -155846311-97 x -1606663


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 155,846,311?

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 155,846,311, 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.

1 155,846,311
-1 -155,846,311

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 155,846,311.

Example:
1 x 155,846,311 = 155,846,311
and
-1 x -155,846,311 = 155,846,311
Notice both answers equal 155,846,311

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 155,846,311 and divide it by 2:

155,846,311 ÷ 2 = 77,923,155.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 77,923,155.5 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:

1 155,846,311
-1 -155,846,311

Now, we try dividing 155,846,311 by 3:

155,846,311 ÷ 3 = 51,948,770.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 51,948,770.3333 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:

1 155,846,311
-1 -155,846,311

Let's try dividing by 4:

155,846,311 ÷ 4 = 38,961,577.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 38,961,577.75 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:

1 155,846,311
-1 155,846,311
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1971,606,663155,846,311
-1-97-1,606,663-155,846,311

More Examples

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