Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 233,189?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 23318911 x 2119917 x 1371729 x 804143 x 5423187 x 1247319 x 731473 x 493
Negative: -1 x -233189-11 x -21199-17 x -13717-29 x -8041-43 x -5423-187 x -1247-319 x -731-473 x -493


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 233,189?

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 233,189, 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.

1 233,189
-1 -233,189

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 233,189.

Example:
1 x 233,189 = 233,189
and
-1 x -233,189 = 233,189
Notice both answers equal 233,189

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 233,189 and divide it by 2:

233,189 ÷ 2 = 116,594.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 116,594.5 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:

1 233,189
-1 -233,189

Now, we try dividing 233,189 by 3:

233,189 ÷ 3 = 77,729.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 77,729.6667 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:

1 233,189
-1 -233,189

Let's try dividing by 4:

233,189 ÷ 4 = 58,297.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 58,297.25 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:

1 233,189
-1 233,189
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1111729431873194734937311,2475,4238,04113,71721,199233,189
-1-11-17-29-43-187-319-473-493-731-1,247-5,423-8,041-13,717-21,199-233,189

More Examples

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