Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 245,834,674?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2458346742 x 122917337
Negative: -1 x -245834674-2 x -122917337


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 245,834,674?

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 245,834,674, 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.

1 245,834,674
-1 -245,834,674

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 245,834,674.

Example:
1 x 245,834,674 = 245,834,674
and
-1 x -245,834,674 = 245,834,674
Notice both answers equal 245,834,674

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 245,834,674 and divide it by 2:

245,834,674 ÷ 2 = 122,917,337

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 122,917,337 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 122,917,337 245,834,674
-1 -2 -122,917,337 -245,834,674

Now, we try dividing 245,834,674 by 3:

245,834,674 ÷ 3 = 81,944,891.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 81,944,891.3333 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 2 122,917,337 245,834,674
-1 -2 -122,917,337 -245,834,674

Let's try dividing by 4:

245,834,674 ÷ 4 = 61,458,668.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 61,458,668.5 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 2 122,917,337 245,834,674
-1 -2 -122,917,337 245,834,674
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12122,917,337245,834,674
-1-2-122,917,337-245,834,674

More Examples

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