Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 167,317,321?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 16731732147 x 35599431163 x 1438673061 x 54661
Negative: -1 x -167317321-47 x -3559943-1163 x -143867-3061 x -54661


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 167,317,321?

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 167,317,321, 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.

1 167,317,321
-1 -167,317,321

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 167,317,321.

Example:
1 x 167,317,321 = 167,317,321
and
-1 x -167,317,321 = 167,317,321
Notice both answers equal 167,317,321

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 167,317,321 and divide it by 2:

167,317,321 ÷ 2 = 83,658,660.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 83,658,660.5 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:

1 167,317,321
-1 -167,317,321

Now, we try dividing 167,317,321 by 3:

167,317,321 ÷ 3 = 55,772,440.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 55,772,440.3333 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:

1 167,317,321
-1 -167,317,321

Let's try dividing by 4:

167,317,321 ÷ 4 = 41,829,330.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 41,829,330.25 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:

1 167,317,321
-1 167,317,321
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1471,1633,06154,661143,8673,559,943167,317,321
-1-47-1,163-3,061-54,661-143,867-3,559,943-167,317,321

More Examples

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