Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 256,641,006?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2566410062 x 1283205033 x 855470026 x 42773501
Negative: -1 x -256641006-2 x -128320503-3 x -85547002-6 x -42773501


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 256,641,006?

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 256,641,006, 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.

1 256,641,006
-1 -256,641,006

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 256,641,006.

Example:
1 x 256,641,006 = 256,641,006
and
-1 x -256,641,006 = 256,641,006
Notice both answers equal 256,641,006

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 256,641,006 and divide it by 2:

256,641,006 ÷ 2 = 128,320,503

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 128,320,503 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 2 128,320,503 256,641,006
-1 -2 -128,320,503 -256,641,006

Now, we try dividing 256,641,006 by 3:

256,641,006 ÷ 3 = 85,547,002

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 85,547,002 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 3 85,547,002 128,320,503 256,641,006
-1 -2 -3 -85,547,002 -128,320,503 -256,641,006

Let's try dividing by 4:

256,641,006 ÷ 4 = 64,160,251.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 64,160,251.5 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 3 85,547,002 128,320,503 256,641,006
-1 -2 -3 -85,547,002 -128,320,503 256,641,006
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

123642,773,50185,547,002128,320,503256,641,006
-1-2-3-6-42,773,501-85,547,002-128,320,503-256,641,006

More Examples

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