Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 224,421,997?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 224421997
Negative: -1 x -224421997


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 224,421,997?

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 224,421,997, 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.

1 224,421,997
-1 -224,421,997

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 224,421,997.

Example:
1 x 224,421,997 = 224,421,997
and
-1 x -224,421,997 = 224,421,997
Notice both answers equal 224,421,997

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 224,421,997 and divide it by 2:

224,421,997 ÷ 2 = 112,210,998.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 112,210,998.5 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:

1 224,421,997
-1 -224,421,997

Now, we try dividing 224,421,997 by 3:

224,421,997 ÷ 3 = 74,807,332.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 74,807,332.3333 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:

1 224,421,997
-1 -224,421,997

Let's try dividing by 4:

224,421,997 ÷ 4 = 56,105,499.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 56,105,499.25 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:

1 224,421,997
-1 224,421,997
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1224,421,997
-1-224,421,997

More Examples

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