Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 311,012,161?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 31101216117 x 182948331201 x 25896115233 x 20417
Negative: -1 x -311012161-17 x -18294833-1201 x -258961-15233 x -20417


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 311,012,161?

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 311,012,161, 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.

1 311,012,161
-1 -311,012,161

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 311,012,161.

Example:
1 x 311,012,161 = 311,012,161
and
-1 x -311,012,161 = 311,012,161
Notice both answers equal 311,012,161

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 311,012,161 and divide it by 2:

311,012,161 ÷ 2 = 155,506,080.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 155,506,080.5 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:

1 311,012,161
-1 -311,012,161

Now, we try dividing 311,012,161 by 3:

311,012,161 ÷ 3 = 103,670,720.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 103,670,720.3333 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:

1 311,012,161
-1 -311,012,161

Let's try dividing by 4:

311,012,161 ÷ 4 = 77,753,040.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 77,753,040.25 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:

1 311,012,161
-1 311,012,161
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1171,20115,23320,417258,96118,294,833311,012,161
-1-17-1,201-15,233-20,417-258,961-18,294,833-311,012,161

More Examples

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