Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 214,126,331?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 21412633131 x 6907301241 x 8884917471 x 28661
Negative: -1 x -214126331-31 x -6907301-241 x -888491-7471 x -28661


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 214,126,331?

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 214,126,331, 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.

1 214,126,331
-1 -214,126,331

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 214,126,331.

Example:
1 x 214,126,331 = 214,126,331
and
-1 x -214,126,331 = 214,126,331
Notice both answers equal 214,126,331

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 214,126,331 and divide it by 2:

214,126,331 ÷ 2 = 107,063,165.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 107,063,165.5 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:

1 214,126,331
-1 -214,126,331

Now, we try dividing 214,126,331 by 3:

214,126,331 ÷ 3 = 71,375,443.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 71,375,443.6667 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:

1 214,126,331
-1 -214,126,331

Let's try dividing by 4:

214,126,331 ÷ 4 = 53,531,582.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 53,531,582.75 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:

1 214,126,331
-1 214,126,331
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1312417,47128,661888,4916,907,301214,126,331
-1-31-241-7,471-28,661-888,491-6,907,301-214,126,331

More Examples

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