Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 362,532,239?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3625322393121 x 116159
Negative: -1 x -362532239-3121 x -116159


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 362,532,239?

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 362,532,239, 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.

1 362,532,239
-1 -362,532,239

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 362,532,239.

Example:
1 x 362,532,239 = 362,532,239
and
-1 x -362,532,239 = 362,532,239
Notice both answers equal 362,532,239

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 362,532,239 and divide it by 2:

362,532,239 ÷ 2 = 181,266,119.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 181,266,119.5 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:

1 362,532,239
-1 -362,532,239

Now, we try dividing 362,532,239 by 3:

362,532,239 ÷ 3 = 120,844,079.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 120,844,079.6667 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:

1 362,532,239
-1 -362,532,239

Let's try dividing by 4:

362,532,239 ÷ 4 = 90,633,059.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 90,633,059.75 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:

1 362,532,239
-1 362,532,239
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

13,121116,159362,532,239
-1-3,121-116,159-362,532,239

More Examples

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