Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 341,420,431?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 34142043111 x 31038221467 x 7310935137 x 66463
Negative: -1 x -341420431-11 x -31038221-467 x -731093-5137 x -66463


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 341,420,431?

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 341,420,431, 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.

1 341,420,431
-1 -341,420,431

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 341,420,431.

Example:
1 x 341,420,431 = 341,420,431
and
-1 x -341,420,431 = 341,420,431
Notice both answers equal 341,420,431

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 341,420,431 and divide it by 2:

341,420,431 ÷ 2 = 170,710,215.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 170,710,215.5 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:

1 341,420,431
-1 -341,420,431

Now, we try dividing 341,420,431 by 3:

341,420,431 ÷ 3 = 113,806,810.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 113,806,810.3333 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:

1 341,420,431
-1 -341,420,431

Let's try dividing by 4:

341,420,431 ÷ 4 = 85,355,107.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 85,355,107.75 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:

1 341,420,431
-1 341,420,431
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1114675,13766,463731,09331,038,221341,420,431
-1-11-467-5,137-66,463-731,093-31,038,221-341,420,431

More Examples

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