Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 321,210,515?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3212105155 x 64242103
Negative: -1 x -321210515-5 x -64242103


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 321,210,515?

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 321,210,515, 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.

1 321,210,515
-1 -321,210,515

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 321,210,515.

Example:
1 x 321,210,515 = 321,210,515
and
-1 x -321,210,515 = 321,210,515
Notice both answers equal 321,210,515

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 321,210,515 and divide it by 2:

321,210,515 ÷ 2 = 160,605,257.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 160,605,257.5 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:

1 321,210,515
-1 -321,210,515

Now, we try dividing 321,210,515 by 3:

321,210,515 ÷ 3 = 107,070,171.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 107,070,171.6667 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:

1 321,210,515
-1 -321,210,515

Let's try dividing by 4:

321,210,515 ÷ 4 = 80,302,628.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 80,302,628.75 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:

1 321,210,515
-1 321,210,515
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1564,242,103321,210,515
-1-5-64,242,103-321,210,515

More Examples

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