Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 228,531?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2285313 x 7617717 x 1344351 x 4481
Negative: -1 x -228531-3 x -76177-17 x -13443-51 x -4481


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 228,531?

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 228,531, 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.

1 228,531
-1 -228,531

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 228,531.

Example:
1 x 228,531 = 228,531
and
-1 x -228,531 = 228,531
Notice both answers equal 228,531

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 228,531 and divide it by 2:

228,531 ÷ 2 = 114,265.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 114,265.5 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:

1 228,531
-1 -228,531

Now, we try dividing 228,531 by 3:

228,531 ÷ 3 = 76,177

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 76,177 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 3 76,177 228,531
-1 -3 -76,177 -228,531

Let's try dividing by 4:

228,531 ÷ 4 = 57,132.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,132.75 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 3 76,177 228,531
-1 -3 -76,177 228,531
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1317514,48113,44376,177228,531
-1-3-17-51-4,481-13,443-76,177-228,531

More Examples

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