Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 241,552,531?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 24155253111 x 219593212143 x 11271710247 x 23573
Negative: -1 x -241552531-11 x -21959321-2143 x -112717-10247 x -23573


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 241,552,531?

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 241,552,531, 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.

1 241,552,531
-1 -241,552,531

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 241,552,531.

Example:
1 x 241,552,531 = 241,552,531
and
-1 x -241,552,531 = 241,552,531
Notice both answers equal 241,552,531

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 241,552,531 and divide it by 2:

241,552,531 ÷ 2 = 120,776,265.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 120,776,265.5 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:

1 241,552,531
-1 -241,552,531

Now, we try dividing 241,552,531 by 3:

241,552,531 ÷ 3 = 80,517,510.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 80,517,510.3333 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:

1 241,552,531
-1 -241,552,531

Let's try dividing by 4:

241,552,531 ÷ 4 = 60,388,132.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 60,388,132.75 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:

1 241,552,531
-1 241,552,531
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1112,14310,24723,573112,71721,959,321241,552,531
-1-11-2,143-10,247-23,573-112,717-21,959,321-241,552,531

More Examples

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