Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 242,314,213?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 242314213239 x 1013867829 x 2922971223 x 198131
Negative: -1 x -242314213-239 x -1013867-829 x -292297-1223 x -198131


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 242,314,213?

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 242,314,213, 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.

1 242,314,213
-1 -242,314,213

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 242,314,213.

Example:
1 x 242,314,213 = 242,314,213
and
-1 x -242,314,213 = 242,314,213
Notice both answers equal 242,314,213

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 242,314,213 and divide it by 2:

242,314,213 ÷ 2 = 121,157,106.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 121,157,106.5 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:

1 242,314,213
-1 -242,314,213

Now, we try dividing 242,314,213 by 3:

242,314,213 ÷ 3 = 80,771,404.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 80,771,404.3333 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:

1 242,314,213
-1 -242,314,213

Let's try dividing by 4:

242,314,213 ÷ 4 = 60,578,553.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 60,578,553.25 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:

1 242,314,213
-1 242,314,213
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12398291,223198,131292,2971,013,867242,314,213
-1-239-829-1,223-198,131-292,297-1,013,867-242,314,213

More Examples

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