Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 251,202,085?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2512020855 x 50240417293 x 8573451465 x 171469
Negative: -1 x -251202085-5 x -50240417-293 x -857345-1465 x -171469


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 251,202,085?

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 251,202,085, 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.

1 251,202,085
-1 -251,202,085

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 251,202,085.

Example:
1 x 251,202,085 = 251,202,085
and
-1 x -251,202,085 = 251,202,085
Notice both answers equal 251,202,085

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 251,202,085 and divide it by 2:

251,202,085 ÷ 2 = 125,601,042.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 125,601,042.5 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:

1 251,202,085
-1 -251,202,085

Now, we try dividing 251,202,085 by 3:

251,202,085 ÷ 3 = 83,734,028.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 83,734,028.3333 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:

1 251,202,085
-1 -251,202,085

Let's try dividing by 4:

251,202,085 ÷ 4 = 62,800,521.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 62,800,521.25 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:

1 251,202,085
-1 251,202,085
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

152931,465171,469857,34550,240,417251,202,085
-1-5-293-1,465-171,469-857,345-50,240,417-251,202,085

More Examples

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