Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 342,002,012?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3420020122 x 1710010064 x 8550050311 x 3109109222 x 1554554644 x 7772773
Negative: -1 x -342002012-2 x -171001006-4 x -85500503-11 x -31091092-22 x -15545546-44 x -7772773


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 342,002,012?

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 342,002,012, 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.

1 342,002,012
-1 -342,002,012

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 342,002,012.

Example:
1 x 342,002,012 = 342,002,012
and
-1 x -342,002,012 = 342,002,012
Notice both answers equal 342,002,012

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 342,002,012 and divide it by 2:

342,002,012 ÷ 2 = 171,001,006

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 171,001,006 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 171,001,006 342,002,012
-1 -2 -171,001,006 -342,002,012

Now, we try dividing 342,002,012 by 3:

342,002,012 ÷ 3 = 114,000,670.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 114,000,670.6667 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 2 171,001,006 342,002,012
-1 -2 -171,001,006 -342,002,012

Let's try dividing by 4:

342,002,012 ÷ 4 = 85,500,503

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 85,500,503 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 4 85,500,503 171,001,006 342,002,012
-1 -2 -4 -85,500,503 -171,001,006 342,002,012
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1241122447,772,77315,545,54631,091,09285,500,503171,001,006342,002,012
-1-2-4-11-22-44-7,772,773-15,545,546-31,091,092-85,500,503-171,001,006-342,002,012

More Examples

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