Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 288,003,668?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2880036682 x 1440018344 x 72000917
Negative: -1 x -288003668-2 x -144001834-4 x -72000917


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 288,003,668?

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 288,003,668, 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.

1 288,003,668
-1 -288,003,668

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 288,003,668.

Example:
1 x 288,003,668 = 288,003,668
and
-1 x -288,003,668 = 288,003,668
Notice both answers equal 288,003,668

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 288,003,668 and divide it by 2:

288,003,668 ÷ 2 = 144,001,834

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 144,001,834 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 2 144,001,834 288,003,668
-1 -2 -144,001,834 -288,003,668

Now, we try dividing 288,003,668 by 3:

288,003,668 ÷ 3 = 96,001,222.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 96,001,222.6667 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 2 144,001,834 288,003,668
-1 -2 -144,001,834 -288,003,668

Let's try dividing by 4:

288,003,668 ÷ 4 = 72,000,917

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 72,000,917 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 4 72,000,917 144,001,834 288,003,668
-1 -2 -4 -72,000,917 -144,001,834 288,003,668
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12472,000,917144,001,834288,003,668
-1-2-4-72,000,917-144,001,834-288,003,668

More Examples

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