Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 331,021,337?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 331021337109 x 30368931709 x 1936931777 x 186281
Negative: -1 x -331021337-109 x -3036893-1709 x -193693-1777 x -186281


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 331,021,337?

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 331,021,337, 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.

1 331,021,337
-1 -331,021,337

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 331,021,337.

Example:
1 x 331,021,337 = 331,021,337
and
-1 x -331,021,337 = 331,021,337
Notice both answers equal 331,021,337

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 331,021,337 and divide it by 2:

331,021,337 ÷ 2 = 165,510,668.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 165,510,668.5 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:

1 331,021,337
-1 -331,021,337

Now, we try dividing 331,021,337 by 3:

331,021,337 ÷ 3 = 110,340,445.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 110,340,445.6667 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:

1 331,021,337
-1 -331,021,337

Let's try dividing by 4:

331,021,337 ÷ 4 = 82,755,334.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 82,755,334.25 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:

1 331,021,337
-1 331,021,337
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11091,7091,777186,281193,6933,036,893331,021,337
-1-109-1,709-1,777-186,281-193,693-3,036,893-331,021,337

More Examples

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