Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 308,232,227?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 30823222767 x 4600481
Negative: -1 x -308232227-67 x -4600481


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 308,232,227?

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 308,232,227, 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.

1 308,232,227
-1 -308,232,227

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 308,232,227.

Example:
1 x 308,232,227 = 308,232,227
and
-1 x -308,232,227 = 308,232,227
Notice both answers equal 308,232,227

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 308,232,227 and divide it by 2:

308,232,227 ÷ 2 = 154,116,113.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 154,116,113.5 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:

1 308,232,227
-1 -308,232,227

Now, we try dividing 308,232,227 by 3:

308,232,227 ÷ 3 = 102,744,075.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 102,744,075.6667 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:

1 308,232,227
-1 -308,232,227

Let's try dividing by 4:

308,232,227 ÷ 4 = 77,058,056.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 77,058,056.75 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:

1 308,232,227
-1 308,232,227
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1674,600,481308,232,227
-1-67-4,600,481-308,232,227

More Examples

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