Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 224,120,431?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 224120431331 x 677101431 x 5200011571 x 142661
Negative: -1 x -224120431-331 x -677101-431 x -520001-1571 x -142661


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 224,120,431?

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 224,120,431, 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.

1 224,120,431
-1 -224,120,431

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 224,120,431.

Example:
1 x 224,120,431 = 224,120,431
and
-1 x -224,120,431 = 224,120,431
Notice both answers equal 224,120,431

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 224,120,431 and divide it by 2:

224,120,431 ÷ 2 = 112,060,215.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 112,060,215.5 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:

1 224,120,431
-1 -224,120,431

Now, we try dividing 224,120,431 by 3:

224,120,431 ÷ 3 = 74,706,810.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 74,706,810.3333 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:

1 224,120,431
-1 -224,120,431

Let's try dividing by 4:

224,120,431 ÷ 4 = 56,030,107.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 56,030,107.75 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:

1 224,120,431
-1 224,120,431
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

13314311,571142,661520,001677,101224,120,431
-1-331-431-1,571-142,661-520,001-677,101-224,120,431

More Examples

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