Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 238,225?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2382255 x 4764513 x 1832525 x 952965 x 3665325 x 733
Negative: -1 x -238225-5 x -47645-13 x -18325-25 x -9529-65 x -3665-325 x -733


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 238,225?

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 238,225, 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.

1 238,225
-1 -238,225

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 238,225.

Example:
1 x 238,225 = 238,225
and
-1 x -238,225 = 238,225
Notice both answers equal 238,225

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 238,225 and divide it by 2:

238,225 ÷ 2 = 119,112.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 119,112.5 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:

1 238,225
-1 -238,225

Now, we try dividing 238,225 by 3:

238,225 ÷ 3 = 79,408.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 79,408.3333 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:

1 238,225
-1 -238,225

Let's try dividing by 4:

238,225 ÷ 4 = 59,556.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 59,556.25 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:

1 238,225
-1 238,225
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

151325653257333,6659,52918,32547,645238,225
-1-5-13-25-65-325-733-3,665-9,529-18,325-47,645-238,225

More Examples

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