Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 173,642,402?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1736424022 x 86821201
Negative: -1 x -173642402-2 x -86821201


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 173,642,402?

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 173,642,402, 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.

1 173,642,402
-1 -173,642,402

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 173,642,402.

Example:
1 x 173,642,402 = 173,642,402
and
-1 x -173,642,402 = 173,642,402
Notice both answers equal 173,642,402

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 173,642,402 and divide it by 2:

173,642,402 ÷ 2 = 86,821,201

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 86,821,201 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 86,821,201 173,642,402
-1 -2 -86,821,201 -173,642,402

Now, we try dividing 173,642,402 by 3:

173,642,402 ÷ 3 = 57,880,800.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 57,880,800.6667 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 86,821,201 173,642,402
-1 -2 -86,821,201 -173,642,402

Let's try dividing by 4:

173,642,402 ÷ 4 = 43,410,600.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 43,410,600.5 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 86,821,201 173,642,402
-1 -2 -86,821,201 173,642,402
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1286,821,201173,642,402
-1-2-86,821,201-173,642,402

More Examples

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