Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 204,202,037?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 20420203713 x 157078491229 x 16615312781 x 15977
Negative: -1 x -204202037-13 x -15707849-1229 x -166153-12781 x -15977


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 204,202,037?

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 204,202,037, 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.

1 204,202,037
-1 -204,202,037

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 204,202,037.

Example:
1 x 204,202,037 = 204,202,037
and
-1 x -204,202,037 = 204,202,037
Notice both answers equal 204,202,037

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 204,202,037 and divide it by 2:

204,202,037 ÷ 2 = 102,101,018.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 102,101,018.5 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:

1 204,202,037
-1 -204,202,037

Now, we try dividing 204,202,037 by 3:

204,202,037 ÷ 3 = 68,067,345.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 68,067,345.6667 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:

1 204,202,037
-1 -204,202,037

Let's try dividing by 4:

204,202,037 ÷ 4 = 51,050,509.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 51,050,509.25 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:

1 204,202,037
-1 204,202,037
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1131,22912,78115,977166,15315,707,849204,202,037
-1-13-1,229-12,781-15,977-166,153-15,707,849-204,202,037

More Examples

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