Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 168,386,297?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 16838629737 x 4550981827 x 2036115503 x 30599
Negative: -1 x -168386297-37 x -4550981-827 x -203611-5503 x -30599


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 168,386,297?

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 168,386,297, 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.

1 168,386,297
-1 -168,386,297

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 168,386,297.

Example:
1 x 168,386,297 = 168,386,297
and
-1 x -168,386,297 = 168,386,297
Notice both answers equal 168,386,297

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 168,386,297 and divide it by 2:

168,386,297 ÷ 2 = 84,193,148.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 84,193,148.5 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:

1 168,386,297
-1 -168,386,297

Now, we try dividing 168,386,297 by 3:

168,386,297 ÷ 3 = 56,128,765.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 56,128,765.6667 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:

1 168,386,297
-1 -168,386,297

Let's try dividing by 4:

168,386,297 ÷ 4 = 42,096,574.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 42,096,574.25 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:

1 168,386,297
-1 168,386,297
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1378275,50330,599203,6114,550,981168,386,297
-1-37-827-5,503-30,599-203,611-4,550,981-168,386,297

More Examples

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