Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 178,028,636?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 1780286362 x 890143184 x 445071591847 x 963883694 x 481947388 x 24097
Negative: -1 x -178028636-2 x -89014318-4 x -44507159-1847 x -96388-3694 x -48194-7388 x -24097


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 178,028,636?

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 178,028,636, 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.

1 178,028,636
-1 -178,028,636

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 178,028,636.

Example:
1 x 178,028,636 = 178,028,636
and
-1 x -178,028,636 = 178,028,636
Notice both answers equal 178,028,636

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 178,028,636 and divide it by 2:

178,028,636 ÷ 2 = 89,014,318

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 89,014,318 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 89,014,318 178,028,636
-1 -2 -89,014,318 -178,028,636

Now, we try dividing 178,028,636 by 3:

178,028,636 ÷ 3 = 59,342,878.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 59,342,878.6667 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 89,014,318 178,028,636
-1 -2 -89,014,318 -178,028,636

Let's try dividing by 4:

178,028,636 ÷ 4 = 44,507,159

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 44,507,159 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 4 44,507,159 89,014,318 178,028,636
-1 -2 -4 -44,507,159 -89,014,318 178,028,636
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1241,8473,6947,38824,09748,19496,38844,507,15989,014,318178,028,636
-1-2-4-1,847-3,694-7,388-24,097-48,194-96,388-44,507,159-89,014,318-178,028,636

More Examples

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