Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 231,310,403?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 23131040371 x 3257893557 x 4152795849 x 39547
Negative: -1 x -231310403-71 x -3257893-557 x -415279-5849 x -39547


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 231,310,403?

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 231,310,403, 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.

1 231,310,403
-1 -231,310,403

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 231,310,403.

Example:
1 x 231,310,403 = 231,310,403
and
-1 x -231,310,403 = 231,310,403
Notice both answers equal 231,310,403

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 231,310,403 and divide it by 2:

231,310,403 ÷ 2 = 115,655,201.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 115,655,201.5 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:

1 231,310,403
-1 -231,310,403

Now, we try dividing 231,310,403 by 3:

231,310,403 ÷ 3 = 77,103,467.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,103,467.6667 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:

1 231,310,403
-1 -231,310,403

Let's try dividing by 4:

231,310,403 ÷ 4 = 57,827,600.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 57,827,600.75 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:

1 231,310,403
-1 231,310,403
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1715575,84939,547415,2793,257,893231,310,403
-1-71-557-5,849-39,547-415,279-3,257,893-231,310,403

More Examples

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