Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 321,265,163?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 32126516347 x 6835429257 x 125005912079 x 26597
Negative: -1 x -321265163-47 x -6835429-257 x -1250059-12079 x -26597


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 321,265,163?

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 321,265,163, 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.

1 321,265,163
-1 -321,265,163

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 321,265,163.

Example:
1 x 321,265,163 = 321,265,163
and
-1 x -321,265,163 = 321,265,163
Notice both answers equal 321,265,163

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 321,265,163 and divide it by 2:

321,265,163 ÷ 2 = 160,632,581.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 160,632,581.5 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:

1 321,265,163
-1 -321,265,163

Now, we try dividing 321,265,163 by 3:

321,265,163 ÷ 3 = 107,088,387.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 107,088,387.6667 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:

1 321,265,163
-1 -321,265,163

Let's try dividing by 4:

321,265,163 ÷ 4 = 80,316,290.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 80,316,290.75 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:

1 321,265,163
-1 321,265,163
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

14725712,07926,5971,250,0596,835,429321,265,163
-1-47-257-12,079-26,597-1,250,059-6,835,429-321,265,163

More Examples

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