Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 232,432,091?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2324320914271 x 54421
Negative: -1 x -232432091-4271 x -54421


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 232,432,091?

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 232,432,091, 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.

1 232,432,091
-1 -232,432,091

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 232,432,091.

Example:
1 x 232,432,091 = 232,432,091
and
-1 x -232,432,091 = 232,432,091
Notice both answers equal 232,432,091

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 232,432,091 and divide it by 2:

232,432,091 ÷ 2 = 116,216,045.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 116,216,045.5 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:

1 232,432,091
-1 -232,432,091

Now, we try dividing 232,432,091 by 3:

232,432,091 ÷ 3 = 77,477,363.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,477,363.6667 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:

1 232,432,091
-1 -232,432,091

Let's try dividing by 4:

232,432,091 ÷ 4 = 58,108,022.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 58,108,022.75 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:

1 232,432,091
-1 232,432,091
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

14,27154,421232,432,091
-1-4,271-54,421-232,432,091

More Examples

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