Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 321,424,033?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3214240337 x 459177192137 x 15040914959 x 21487
Negative: -1 x -321424033-7 x -45917719-2137 x -150409-14959 x -21487


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 321,424,033?

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 321,424,033, 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.

1 321,424,033
-1 -321,424,033

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 321,424,033.

Example:
1 x 321,424,033 = 321,424,033
and
-1 x -321,424,033 = 321,424,033
Notice both answers equal 321,424,033

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 321,424,033 and divide it by 2:

321,424,033 ÷ 2 = 160,712,016.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 160,712,016.5 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:

1 321,424,033
-1 -321,424,033

Now, we try dividing 321,424,033 by 3:

321,424,033 ÷ 3 = 107,141,344.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 107,141,344.3333 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:

1 321,424,033
-1 -321,424,033

Let's try dividing by 4:

321,424,033 ÷ 4 = 80,356,008.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 80,356,008.25 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:

1 321,424,033
-1 321,424,033
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

172,13714,95921,487150,40945,917,719321,424,033
-1-7-2,137-14,959-21,487-150,409-45,917,719-321,424,033

More Examples

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