Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 238,721,335?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2387213355 x 4774426767 x 3563005335 x 712601
Negative: -1 x -238721335-5 x -47744267-67 x -3563005-335 x -712601


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 238,721,335?

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 238,721,335, 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.

1 238,721,335
-1 -238,721,335

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 238,721,335.

Example:
1 x 238,721,335 = 238,721,335
and
-1 x -238,721,335 = 238,721,335
Notice both answers equal 238,721,335

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 238,721,335 and divide it by 2:

238,721,335 ÷ 2 = 119,360,667.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 119,360,667.5 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:

1 238,721,335
-1 -238,721,335

Now, we try dividing 238,721,335 by 3:

238,721,335 ÷ 3 = 79,573,778.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 79,573,778.3333 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:

1 238,721,335
-1 -238,721,335

Let's try dividing by 4:

238,721,335 ÷ 4 = 59,680,333.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 59,680,333.75 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:

1 238,721,335
-1 238,721,335
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1567335712,6013,563,00547,744,267238,721,335
-1-5-67-335-712,601-3,563,005-47,744,267-238,721,335

More Examples

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