Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 258,555,755?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2585557555 x 51711151
Negative: -1 x -258555755-5 x -51711151


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 258,555,755?

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 258,555,755, 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.

1 258,555,755
-1 -258,555,755

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 258,555,755.

Example:
1 x 258,555,755 = 258,555,755
and
-1 x -258,555,755 = 258,555,755
Notice both answers equal 258,555,755

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 258,555,755 and divide it by 2:

258,555,755 ÷ 2 = 129,277,877.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 129,277,877.5 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:

1 258,555,755
-1 -258,555,755

Now, we try dividing 258,555,755 by 3:

258,555,755 ÷ 3 = 86,185,251.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 86,185,251.6667 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:

1 258,555,755
-1 -258,555,755

Let's try dividing by 4:

258,555,755 ÷ 4 = 64,638,938.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 64,638,938.75 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:

1 258,555,755
-1 258,555,755
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1551,711,151258,555,755
-1-5-51,711,151-258,555,755

More Examples

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