Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 165,057,974?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1650579742 x 82528987
Negative: -1 x -165057974-2 x -82528987


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 165,057,974?

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 165,057,974, 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.

1 165,057,974
-1 -165,057,974

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 165,057,974.

Example:
1 x 165,057,974 = 165,057,974
and
-1 x -165,057,974 = 165,057,974
Notice both answers equal 165,057,974

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 165,057,974 and divide it by 2:

165,057,974 ÷ 2 = 82,528,987

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 82,528,987 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 2 82,528,987 165,057,974
-1 -2 -82,528,987 -165,057,974

Now, we try dividing 165,057,974 by 3:

165,057,974 ÷ 3 = 55,019,324.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 55,019,324.6667 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 2 82,528,987 165,057,974
-1 -2 -82,528,987 -165,057,974

Let's try dividing by 4:

165,057,974 ÷ 4 = 41,264,493.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 41,264,493.5 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 2 82,528,987 165,057,974
-1 -2 -82,528,987 165,057,974
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1282,528,987165,057,974
-1-2-82,528,987-165,057,974

More Examples

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