Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 321,505,111?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 32150511171 x 4528241
Negative: -1 x -321505111-71 x -4528241


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 321,505,111?

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 321,505,111, 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.

1 321,505,111
-1 -321,505,111

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 321,505,111.

Example:
1 x 321,505,111 = 321,505,111
and
-1 x -321,505,111 = 321,505,111
Notice both answers equal 321,505,111

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 321,505,111 and divide it by 2:

321,505,111 ÷ 2 = 160,752,555.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 160,752,555.5 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:

1 321,505,111
-1 -321,505,111

Now, we try dividing 321,505,111 by 3:

321,505,111 ÷ 3 = 107,168,370.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 107,168,370.3333 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:

1 321,505,111
-1 -321,505,111

Let's try dividing by 4:

321,505,111 ÷ 4 = 80,376,277.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 80,376,277.75 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:

1 321,505,111
-1 321,505,111
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1714,528,241321,505,111
-1-71-4,528,241-321,505,111

More Examples

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