Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 345,632,221?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 34563222111 x 31421111
Negative: -1 x -345632221-11 x -31421111


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 345,632,221?

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 345,632,221, 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.

1 345,632,221
-1 -345,632,221

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 345,632,221.

Example:
1 x 345,632,221 = 345,632,221
and
-1 x -345,632,221 = 345,632,221
Notice both answers equal 345,632,221

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 345,632,221 and divide it by 2:

345,632,221 ÷ 2 = 172,816,110.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 172,816,110.5 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:

1 345,632,221
-1 -345,632,221

Now, we try dividing 345,632,221 by 3:

345,632,221 ÷ 3 = 115,210,740.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 115,210,740.3333 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:

1 345,632,221
-1 -345,632,221

Let's try dividing by 4:

345,632,221 ÷ 4 = 86,408,055.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 86,408,055.25 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:

1 345,632,221
-1 345,632,221
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11131,421,111345,632,221
-1-11-31,421,111-345,632,221

More Examples

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