Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 242,104?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2421042 x 1210524 x 605268 x 3026353 x 4568106 x 2284212 x 1142424 x 571
Negative: -1 x -242104-2 x -121052-4 x -60526-8 x -30263-53 x -4568-106 x -2284-212 x -1142-424 x -571


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 242,104?

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 242,104, 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.

1 242,104
-1 -242,104

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 242,104.

Example:
1 x 242,104 = 242,104
and
-1 x -242,104 = 242,104
Notice both answers equal 242,104

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 242,104 and divide it by 2:

242,104 ÷ 2 = 121,052

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 121,052 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 121,052 242,104
-1 -2 -121,052 -242,104

Now, we try dividing 242,104 by 3:

242,104 ÷ 3 = 80,701.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 80,701.3333 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 2 121,052 242,104
-1 -2 -121,052 -242,104

Let's try dividing by 4:

242,104 ÷ 4 = 60,526

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 60,526 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 4 60,526 121,052 242,104
-1 -2 -4 -60,526 -121,052 242,104
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1248531062124245711,1422,2844,56830,26360,526121,052242,104
-1-2-4-8-53-106-212-424-571-1,142-2,284-4,568-30,263-60,526-121,052-242,104

More Examples

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