Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 245,310,421?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 24531042141 x 5983181
Negative: -1 x -245310421-41 x -5983181


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 245,310,421?

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 245,310,421, 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.

1 245,310,421
-1 -245,310,421

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 245,310,421.

Example:
1 x 245,310,421 = 245,310,421
and
-1 x -245,310,421 = 245,310,421
Notice both answers equal 245,310,421

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 245,310,421 and divide it by 2:

245,310,421 ÷ 2 = 122,655,210.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 122,655,210.5 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:

1 245,310,421
-1 -245,310,421

Now, we try dividing 245,310,421 by 3:

245,310,421 ÷ 3 = 81,770,140.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 81,770,140.3333 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:

1 245,310,421
-1 -245,310,421

Let's try dividing by 4:

245,310,421 ÷ 4 = 61,327,605.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 61,327,605.25 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:

1 245,310,421
-1 245,310,421
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1415,983,181245,310,421
-1-41-5,983,181-245,310,421

More Examples

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