Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 229,916?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2299162 x 1149584 x 57479229 x 1004251 x 916458 x 502
Negative: -1 x -229916-2 x -114958-4 x -57479-229 x -1004-251 x -916-458 x -502


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 229,916?

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 229,916, 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.

1 229,916
-1 -229,916

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 229,916.

Example:
1 x 229,916 = 229,916
and
-1 x -229,916 = 229,916
Notice both answers equal 229,916

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 229,916 and divide it by 2:

229,916 ÷ 2 = 114,958

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 114,958 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 2 114,958 229,916
-1 -2 -114,958 -229,916

Now, we try dividing 229,916 by 3:

229,916 ÷ 3 = 76,638.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 76,638.6667 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 2 114,958 229,916
-1 -2 -114,958 -229,916

Let's try dividing by 4:

229,916 ÷ 4 = 57,479

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,479 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 57,479 114,958 229,916
-1 -2 -4 -57,479 -114,958 229,916
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1242292514585029161,00457,479114,958229,916
-1-2-4-229-251-458-502-916-1,004-57,479-114,958-229,916

More Examples

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