Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 342,428,083?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3424280832267 x 151049
Negative: -1 x -342428083-2267 x -151049


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 342,428,083?

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 342,428,083, 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.

1 342,428,083
-1 -342,428,083

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 342,428,083.

Example:
1 x 342,428,083 = 342,428,083
and
-1 x -342,428,083 = 342,428,083
Notice both answers equal 342,428,083

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 342,428,083 and divide it by 2:

342,428,083 ÷ 2 = 171,214,041.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 171,214,041.5 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:

1 342,428,083
-1 -342,428,083

Now, we try dividing 342,428,083 by 3:

342,428,083 ÷ 3 = 114,142,694.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 114,142,694.3333 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:

1 342,428,083
-1 -342,428,083

Let's try dividing by 4:

342,428,083 ÷ 4 = 85,607,020.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 85,607,020.75 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:

1 342,428,083
-1 342,428,083
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

12,267151,049342,428,083
-1-2,267-151,049-342,428,083

More Examples

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