Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 232,016,243?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 23201624367 x 3462929241 x 96272314369 x 16147
Negative: -1 x -232016243-67 x -3462929-241 x -962723-14369 x -16147


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 232,016,243?

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 232,016,243, 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.

1 232,016,243
-1 -232,016,243

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 232,016,243.

Example:
1 x 232,016,243 = 232,016,243
and
-1 x -232,016,243 = 232,016,243
Notice both answers equal 232,016,243

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 232,016,243 and divide it by 2:

232,016,243 ÷ 2 = 116,008,121.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 116,008,121.5 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:

1 232,016,243
-1 -232,016,243

Now, we try dividing 232,016,243 by 3:

232,016,243 ÷ 3 = 77,338,747.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,338,747.6667 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:

1 232,016,243
-1 -232,016,243

Let's try dividing by 4:

232,016,243 ÷ 4 = 58,004,060.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 58,004,060.75 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:

1 232,016,243
-1 232,016,243
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

16724114,36916,147962,7233,462,929232,016,243
-1-67-241-14,369-16,147-962,723-3,462,929-232,016,243

More Examples

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