Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 255,550,043?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2555500437 x 3650714949 x 5215307997 x 2563195231 x 488536979 x 36617
Negative: -1 x -255550043-7 x -36507149-49 x -5215307-997 x -256319-5231 x -48853-6979 x -36617


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 255,550,043?

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 255,550,043, 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.

1 255,550,043
-1 -255,550,043

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 255,550,043.

Example:
1 x 255,550,043 = 255,550,043
and
-1 x -255,550,043 = 255,550,043
Notice both answers equal 255,550,043

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 255,550,043 and divide it by 2:

255,550,043 ÷ 2 = 127,775,021.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 127,775,021.5 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:

1 255,550,043
-1 -255,550,043

Now, we try dividing 255,550,043 by 3:

255,550,043 ÷ 3 = 85,183,347.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 85,183,347.6667 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:

1 255,550,043
-1 -255,550,043

Let's try dividing by 4:

255,550,043 ÷ 4 = 63,887,510.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 63,887,510.75 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:

1 255,550,043
-1 255,550,043
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

17499975,2316,97936,61748,853256,3195,215,30736,507,149255,550,043
-1-7-49-997-5,231-6,979-36,617-48,853-256,319-5,215,307-36,507,149-255,550,043

More Examples

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