Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 241,201,231?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 241201231101 x 2388131907 x 2659332633 x 91607
Negative: -1 x -241201231-101 x -2388131-907 x -265933-2633 x -91607


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 241,201,231?

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 241,201,231, 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.

1 241,201,231
-1 -241,201,231

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 241,201,231.

Example:
1 x 241,201,231 = 241,201,231
and
-1 x -241,201,231 = 241,201,231
Notice both answers equal 241,201,231

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 241,201,231 and divide it by 2:

241,201,231 ÷ 2 = 120,600,615.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 120,600,615.5 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:

1 241,201,231
-1 -241,201,231

Now, we try dividing 241,201,231 by 3:

241,201,231 ÷ 3 = 80,400,410.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 80,400,410.3333 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:

1 241,201,231
-1 -241,201,231

Let's try dividing by 4:

241,201,231 ÷ 4 = 60,300,307.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 60,300,307.75 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:

1 241,201,231
-1 241,201,231
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11019072,63391,607265,9332,388,131241,201,231
-1-101-907-2,633-91,607-265,933-2,388,131-241,201,231

More Examples

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