Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 188,471,333?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 18847133317 x 110865491193 x 1579819293 x 20281
Negative: -1 x -188471333-17 x -11086549-1193 x -157981-9293 x -20281


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 188,471,333?

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 188,471,333, 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.

1 188,471,333
-1 -188,471,333

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 188,471,333.

Example:
1 x 188,471,333 = 188,471,333
and
-1 x -188,471,333 = 188,471,333
Notice both answers equal 188,471,333

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 188,471,333 and divide it by 2:

188,471,333 ÷ 2 = 94,235,666.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 94,235,666.5 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:

1 188,471,333
-1 -188,471,333

Now, we try dividing 188,471,333 by 3:

188,471,333 ÷ 3 = 62,823,777.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 62,823,777.6667 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:

1 188,471,333
-1 -188,471,333

Let's try dividing by 4:

188,471,333 ÷ 4 = 47,117,833.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 47,117,833.25 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:

1 188,471,333
-1 188,471,333
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1171,1939,29320,281157,98111,086,549188,471,333
-1-17-1,193-9,293-20,281-157,981-11,086,549-188,471,333

More Examples

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