Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 165,799,157?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 16579915723 x 7208659
Negative: -1 x -165799157-23 x -7208659


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 165,799,157?

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 165,799,157, 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.

1 165,799,157
-1 -165,799,157

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 165,799,157.

Example:
1 x 165,799,157 = 165,799,157
and
-1 x -165,799,157 = 165,799,157
Notice both answers equal 165,799,157

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 165,799,157 and divide it by 2:

165,799,157 ÷ 2 = 82,899,578.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 82,899,578.5 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:

1 165,799,157
-1 -165,799,157

Now, we try dividing 165,799,157 by 3:

165,799,157 ÷ 3 = 55,266,385.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 55,266,385.6667 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:

1 165,799,157
-1 -165,799,157

Let's try dividing by 4:

165,799,157 ÷ 4 = 41,449,789.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 41,449,789.25 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:

1 165,799,157
-1 165,799,157
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1237,208,659165,799,157
-1-23-7,208,659-165,799,157

More Examples

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