Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 311,021,239?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 31102123917 x 18295367157 x 19810272669 x 116531
Negative: -1 x -311021239-17 x -18295367-157 x -1981027-2669 x -116531


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 311,021,239?

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 311,021,239, 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.

1 311,021,239
-1 -311,021,239

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 311,021,239.

Example:
1 x 311,021,239 = 311,021,239
and
-1 x -311,021,239 = 311,021,239
Notice both answers equal 311,021,239

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 311,021,239 and divide it by 2:

311,021,239 ÷ 2 = 155,510,619.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 155,510,619.5 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:

1 311,021,239
-1 -311,021,239

Now, we try dividing 311,021,239 by 3:

311,021,239 ÷ 3 = 103,673,746.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 103,673,746.3333 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:

1 311,021,239
-1 -311,021,239

Let's try dividing by 4:

311,021,239 ÷ 4 = 77,755,309.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 77,755,309.75 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:

1 311,021,239
-1 311,021,239
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1171572,669116,5311,981,02718,295,367311,021,239
-1-17-157-2,669-116,531-1,981,027-18,295,367-311,021,239

More Examples

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