Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 242,301,041?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 242301041113 x 2144257277 x 8747337741 x 31301
Negative: -1 x -242301041-113 x -2144257-277 x -874733-7741 x -31301


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 242,301,041?

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 242,301,041, 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.

1 242,301,041
-1 -242,301,041

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 242,301,041.

Example:
1 x 242,301,041 = 242,301,041
and
-1 x -242,301,041 = 242,301,041
Notice both answers equal 242,301,041

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 242,301,041 and divide it by 2:

242,301,041 ÷ 2 = 121,150,520.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 121,150,520.5 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:

1 242,301,041
-1 -242,301,041

Now, we try dividing 242,301,041 by 3:

242,301,041 ÷ 3 = 80,767,013.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 80,767,013.6667 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:

1 242,301,041
-1 -242,301,041

Let's try dividing by 4:

242,301,041 ÷ 4 = 60,575,260.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 60,575,260.25 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:

1 242,301,041
-1 242,301,041
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11132777,74131,301874,7332,144,257242,301,041
-1-113-277-7,741-31,301-874,733-2,144,257-242,301,041

More Examples

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