Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 272,646,799?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 27264679917 x 16038047
Negative: -1 x -272646799-17 x -16038047


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 272,646,799?

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 272,646,799, 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.

1 272,646,799
-1 -272,646,799

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 272,646,799.

Example:
1 x 272,646,799 = 272,646,799
and
-1 x -272,646,799 = 272,646,799
Notice both answers equal 272,646,799

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 272,646,799 and divide it by 2:

272,646,799 ÷ 2 = 136,323,399.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 136,323,399.5 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:

1 272,646,799
-1 -272,646,799

Now, we try dividing 272,646,799 by 3:

272,646,799 ÷ 3 = 90,882,266.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 90,882,266.3333 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:

1 272,646,799
-1 -272,646,799

Let's try dividing by 4:

272,646,799 ÷ 4 = 68,161,699.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 68,161,699.75 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:

1 272,646,799
-1 272,646,799
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11716,038,047272,646,799
-1-17-16,038,047-272,646,799

More Examples

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