Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 242,314,525?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2423145255 x 4846290525 x 9692581383 x 6326751915 x 1265359575 x 25307
Negative: -1 x -242314525-5 x -48462905-25 x -9692581-383 x -632675-1915 x -126535-9575 x -25307


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 242,314,525?

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 242,314,525, 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.

1 242,314,525
-1 -242,314,525

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 242,314,525.

Example:
1 x 242,314,525 = 242,314,525
and
-1 x -242,314,525 = 242,314,525
Notice both answers equal 242,314,525

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 242,314,525 and divide it by 2:

242,314,525 ÷ 2 = 121,157,262.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 121,157,262.5 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:

1 242,314,525
-1 -242,314,525

Now, we try dividing 242,314,525 by 3:

242,314,525 ÷ 3 = 80,771,508.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 80,771,508.3333 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:

1 242,314,525
-1 -242,314,525

Let's try dividing by 4:

242,314,525 ÷ 4 = 60,578,631.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 60,578,631.25 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:

1 242,314,525
-1 242,314,525
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

15253831,9159,57525,307126,535632,6759,692,58148,462,905242,314,525
-1-5-25-383-1,915-9,575-25,307-126,535-632,675-9,692,581-48,462,905-242,314,525

More Examples

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