Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 171,374,801?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 17137480113 x 13182677571 x 3001317423 x 23087
Negative: -1 x -171374801-13 x -13182677-571 x -300131-7423 x -23087


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 171,374,801?

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 171,374,801, 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.

1 171,374,801
-1 -171,374,801

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 171,374,801.

Example:
1 x 171,374,801 = 171,374,801
and
-1 x -171,374,801 = 171,374,801
Notice both answers equal 171,374,801

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 171,374,801 and divide it by 2:

171,374,801 ÷ 2 = 85,687,400.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 85,687,400.5 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:

1 171,374,801
-1 -171,374,801

Now, we try dividing 171,374,801 by 3:

171,374,801 ÷ 3 = 57,124,933.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 57,124,933.6667 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:

1 171,374,801
-1 -171,374,801

Let's try dividing by 4:

171,374,801 ÷ 4 = 42,843,700.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 42,843,700.25 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:

1 171,374,801
-1 171,374,801
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1135717,42323,087300,13113,182,677171,374,801
-1-13-571-7,423-23,087-300,131-13,182,677-171,374,801

More Examples

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