Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 342,251,204?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3422512042 x 1711256024 x 85562801
Negative: -1 x -342251204-2 x -171125602-4 x -85562801


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 342,251,204?

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 342,251,204, 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.

1 342,251,204
-1 -342,251,204

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 342,251,204.

Example:
1 x 342,251,204 = 342,251,204
and
-1 x -342,251,204 = 342,251,204
Notice both answers equal 342,251,204

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 342,251,204 and divide it by 2:

342,251,204 ÷ 2 = 171,125,602

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 171,125,602 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 2 171,125,602 342,251,204
-1 -2 -171,125,602 -342,251,204

Now, we try dividing 342,251,204 by 3:

342,251,204 ÷ 3 = 114,083,734.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 114,083,734.6667 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 2 171,125,602 342,251,204
-1 -2 -171,125,602 -342,251,204

Let's try dividing by 4:

342,251,204 ÷ 4 = 85,562,801

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 85,562,801 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 85,562,801 171,125,602 342,251,204
-1 -2 -4 -85,562,801 -171,125,602 342,251,204
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12485,562,801171,125,602342,251,204
-1-2-4-85,562,801-171,125,602-342,251,204

More Examples

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