Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 224,610,221?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 22461022111 x 2041911131 x 7245491341 x 658681
Negative: -1 x -224610221-11 x -20419111-31 x -7245491-341 x -658681


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 224,610,221?

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 224,610,221, 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.

1 224,610,221
-1 -224,610,221

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 224,610,221.

Example:
1 x 224,610,221 = 224,610,221
and
-1 x -224,610,221 = 224,610,221
Notice both answers equal 224,610,221

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 224,610,221 and divide it by 2:

224,610,221 ÷ 2 = 112,305,110.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 112,305,110.5 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:

1 224,610,221
-1 -224,610,221

Now, we try dividing 224,610,221 by 3:

224,610,221 ÷ 3 = 74,870,073.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 74,870,073.6667 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:

1 224,610,221
-1 -224,610,221

Let's try dividing by 4:

224,610,221 ÷ 4 = 56,152,555.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 56,152,555.25 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:

1 224,610,221
-1 224,610,221
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11131341658,6817,245,49120,419,111224,610,221
-1-11-31-341-658,681-7,245,491-20,419,111-224,610,221

More Examples

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