Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 238,825?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2388255 x 4776525 x 955341 x 5825205 x 1165233 x 1025
Negative: -1 x -238825-5 x -47765-25 x -9553-41 x -5825-205 x -1165-233 x -1025


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 238,825?

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 238,825, 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.

1 238,825
-1 -238,825

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 238,825.

Example:
1 x 238,825 = 238,825
and
-1 x -238,825 = 238,825
Notice both answers equal 238,825

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 238,825 and divide it by 2:

238,825 ÷ 2 = 119,412.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 119,412.5 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:

1 238,825
-1 -238,825

Now, we try dividing 238,825 by 3:

238,825 ÷ 3 = 79,608.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 79,608.3333 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:

1 238,825
-1 -238,825

Let's try dividing by 4:

238,825 ÷ 4 = 59,706.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 59,706.25 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:

1 238,825
-1 238,825
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1525412052331,0251,1655,8259,55347,765238,825
-1-5-25-41-205-233-1,025-1,165-5,825-9,553-47,765-238,825

More Examples

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