Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 237,232,679?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 237232679409 x 580031
Negative: -1 x -237232679-409 x -580031


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 237,232,679?

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 237,232,679, 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.

1 237,232,679
-1 -237,232,679

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 237,232,679.

Example:
1 x 237,232,679 = 237,232,679
and
-1 x -237,232,679 = 237,232,679
Notice both answers equal 237,232,679

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 237,232,679 and divide it by 2:

237,232,679 ÷ 2 = 118,616,339.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 118,616,339.5 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:

1 237,232,679
-1 -237,232,679

Now, we try dividing 237,232,679 by 3:

237,232,679 ÷ 3 = 79,077,559.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 79,077,559.6667 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:

1 237,232,679
-1 -237,232,679

Let's try dividing by 4:

237,232,679 ÷ 4 = 59,308,169.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 59,308,169.75 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:

1 237,232,679
-1 237,232,679
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1409580,031237,232,679
-1-409-580,031-237,232,679

More Examples

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