Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 305,351,521?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3053515214751 x 64271
Negative: -1 x -305351521-4751 x -64271


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 305,351,521?

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 305,351,521, 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.

1 305,351,521
-1 -305,351,521

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 305,351,521.

Example:
1 x 305,351,521 = 305,351,521
and
-1 x -305,351,521 = 305,351,521
Notice both answers equal 305,351,521

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 305,351,521 and divide it by 2:

305,351,521 ÷ 2 = 152,675,760.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 152,675,760.5 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:

1 305,351,521
-1 -305,351,521

Now, we try dividing 305,351,521 by 3:

305,351,521 ÷ 3 = 101,783,840.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 101,783,840.3333 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:

1 305,351,521
-1 -305,351,521

Let's try dividing by 4:

305,351,521 ÷ 4 = 76,337,880.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 76,337,880.25 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:

1 305,351,521
-1 305,351,521
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

14,75164,271305,351,521
-1-4,751-64,271-305,351,521

More Examples

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