Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 212,321,665?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2123216655 x 42464333
Negative: -1 x -212321665-5 x -42464333


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 212,321,665?

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 212,321,665, 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.

1 212,321,665
-1 -212,321,665

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 212,321,665.

Example:
1 x 212,321,665 = 212,321,665
and
-1 x -212,321,665 = 212,321,665
Notice both answers equal 212,321,665

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 212,321,665 and divide it by 2:

212,321,665 ÷ 2 = 106,160,832.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 106,160,832.5 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:

1 212,321,665
-1 -212,321,665

Now, we try dividing 212,321,665 by 3:

212,321,665 ÷ 3 = 70,773,888.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 70,773,888.3333 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:

1 212,321,665
-1 -212,321,665

Let's try dividing by 4:

212,321,665 ÷ 4 = 53,080,416.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 53,080,416.25 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:

1 212,321,665
-1 212,321,665
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1542,464,333212,321,665
-1-5-42,464,333-212,321,665

More Examples

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