Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 242,141,425?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2421414255 x 4842828525 x 9685657439 x 5515752195 x 11031510975 x 22063
Negative: -1 x -242141425-5 x -48428285-25 x -9685657-439 x -551575-2195 x -110315-10975 x -22063


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 242,141,425?

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 242,141,425, 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.

1 242,141,425
-1 -242,141,425

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 242,141,425.

Example:
1 x 242,141,425 = 242,141,425
and
-1 x -242,141,425 = 242,141,425
Notice both answers equal 242,141,425

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 242,141,425 and divide it by 2:

242,141,425 ÷ 2 = 121,070,712.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 121,070,712.5 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:

1 242,141,425
-1 -242,141,425

Now, we try dividing 242,141,425 by 3:

242,141,425 ÷ 3 = 80,713,808.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 80,713,808.3333 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:

1 242,141,425
-1 -242,141,425

Let's try dividing by 4:

242,141,425 ÷ 4 = 60,535,356.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 60,535,356.25 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:

1 242,141,425
-1 242,141,425
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15254392,19510,97522,063110,315551,5759,685,65748,428,285242,141,425
-1-5-25-439-2,195-10,975-22,063-110,315-551,575-9,685,657-48,428,285-242,141,425

More Examples

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