Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 229,396?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2293962 x 1146984 x 57349
Negative: -1 x -229396-2 x -114698-4 x -57349


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 229,396?

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 229,396, 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.

1 229,396
-1 -229,396

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 229,396.

Example:
1 x 229,396 = 229,396
and
-1 x -229,396 = 229,396
Notice both answers equal 229,396

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 229,396 and divide it by 2:

229,396 ÷ 2 = 114,698

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 114,698 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 2 114,698 229,396
-1 -2 -114,698 -229,396

Now, we try dividing 229,396 by 3:

229,396 ÷ 3 = 76,465.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 76,465.3333 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 2 114,698 229,396
-1 -2 -114,698 -229,396

Let's try dividing by 4:

229,396 ÷ 4 = 57,349

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,349 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 2 4 57,349 114,698 229,396
-1 -2 -4 -57,349 -114,698 229,396
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12457,349114,698229,396
-1-2-4-57,349-114,698-229,396

More Examples

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