Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 245,847,359?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 245847359173 x 1421083
Negative: -1 x -245847359-173 x -1421083


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 245,847,359?

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 245,847,359, 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.

1 245,847,359
-1 -245,847,359

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 245,847,359.

Example:
1 x 245,847,359 = 245,847,359
and
-1 x -245,847,359 = 245,847,359
Notice both answers equal 245,847,359

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 245,847,359 and divide it by 2:

245,847,359 ÷ 2 = 122,923,679.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 122,923,679.5 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:

1 245,847,359
-1 -245,847,359

Now, we try dividing 245,847,359 by 3:

245,847,359 ÷ 3 = 81,949,119.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 81,949,119.6667 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:

1 245,847,359
-1 -245,847,359

Let's try dividing by 4:

245,847,359 ÷ 4 = 61,461,839.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 61,461,839.75 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:

1 245,847,359
-1 245,847,359
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11731,421,083245,847,359
-1-173-1,421,083-245,847,359

More Examples

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