Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 221,401,645?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2214016455 x 44280329257 x 8614851285 x 172297
Negative: -1 x -221401645-5 x -44280329-257 x -861485-1285 x -172297


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 221,401,645?

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 221,401,645, 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.

1 221,401,645
-1 -221,401,645

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 221,401,645.

Example:
1 x 221,401,645 = 221,401,645
and
-1 x -221,401,645 = 221,401,645
Notice both answers equal 221,401,645

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 221,401,645 and divide it by 2:

221,401,645 ÷ 2 = 110,700,822.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 110,700,822.5 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:

1 221,401,645
-1 -221,401,645

Now, we try dividing 221,401,645 by 3:

221,401,645 ÷ 3 = 73,800,548.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 73,800,548.3333 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:

1 221,401,645
-1 -221,401,645

Let's try dividing by 4:

221,401,645 ÷ 4 = 55,350,411.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 55,350,411.25 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:

1 221,401,645
-1 221,401,645
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

152571,285172,297861,48544,280,329221,401,645
-1-5-257-1,285-172,297-861,485-44,280,329-221,401,645

More Examples

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