Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 156,722,081?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 15672208131 x 5055551
Negative: -1 x -156722081-31 x -5055551


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 156,722,081?

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 156,722,081, 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.

1 156,722,081
-1 -156,722,081

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 156,722,081.

Example:
1 x 156,722,081 = 156,722,081
and
-1 x -156,722,081 = 156,722,081
Notice both answers equal 156,722,081

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 156,722,081 and divide it by 2:

156,722,081 ÷ 2 = 78,361,040.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 78,361,040.5 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:

1 156,722,081
-1 -156,722,081

Now, we try dividing 156,722,081 by 3:

156,722,081 ÷ 3 = 52,240,693.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 52,240,693.6667 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:

1 156,722,081
-1 -156,722,081

Let's try dividing by 4:

156,722,081 ÷ 4 = 39,180,520.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 39,180,520.25 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:

1 156,722,081
-1 156,722,081
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1315,055,551156,722,081
-1-31-5,055,551-156,722,081

More Examples

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