Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 240,321,401?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 24032140117 x 1413655337 x 6495173629 x 382069
Negative: -1 x -240321401-17 x -14136553-37 x -6495173-629 x -382069


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 240,321,401?

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 240,321,401, 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.

1 240,321,401
-1 -240,321,401

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 240,321,401.

Example:
1 x 240,321,401 = 240,321,401
and
-1 x -240,321,401 = 240,321,401
Notice both answers equal 240,321,401

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 240,321,401 and divide it by 2:

240,321,401 ÷ 2 = 120,160,700.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 120,160,700.5 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:

1 240,321,401
-1 -240,321,401

Now, we try dividing 240,321,401 by 3:

240,321,401 ÷ 3 = 80,107,133.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 80,107,133.6667 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:

1 240,321,401
-1 -240,321,401

Let's try dividing by 4:

240,321,401 ÷ 4 = 60,080,350.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 60,080,350.25 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:

1 240,321,401
-1 240,321,401
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11737629382,0696,495,17314,136,553240,321,401
-1-17-37-629-382,069-6,495,173-14,136,553-240,321,401

More Examples

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