Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 240,423,437?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 240423437431 x 557827503 x 4779791109 x 216793
Negative: -1 x -240423437-431 x -557827-503 x -477979-1109 x -216793


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 240,423,437?

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 240,423,437, 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.

1 240,423,437
-1 -240,423,437

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 240,423,437.

Example:
1 x 240,423,437 = 240,423,437
and
-1 x -240,423,437 = 240,423,437
Notice both answers equal 240,423,437

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 240,423,437 and divide it by 2:

240,423,437 ÷ 2 = 120,211,718.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 120,211,718.5 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:

1 240,423,437
-1 -240,423,437

Now, we try dividing 240,423,437 by 3:

240,423,437 ÷ 3 = 80,141,145.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 80,141,145.6667 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:

1 240,423,437
-1 -240,423,437

Let's try dividing by 4:

240,423,437 ÷ 4 = 60,105,859.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 60,105,859.25 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:

1 240,423,437
-1 240,423,437
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

14315031,109216,793477,979557,827240,423,437
-1-431-503-1,109-216,793-477,979-557,827-240,423,437

More Examples

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