Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 385,134,431?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 38513443111 x 35012221179 x 21515891969 x 195599
Negative: -1 x -385134431-11 x -35012221-179 x -2151589-1969 x -195599


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 385,134,431?

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 385,134,431, 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.

1 385,134,431
-1 -385,134,431

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 385,134,431.

Example:
1 x 385,134,431 = 385,134,431
and
-1 x -385,134,431 = 385,134,431
Notice both answers equal 385,134,431

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 385,134,431 and divide it by 2:

385,134,431 ÷ 2 = 192,567,215.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 192,567,215.5 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:

1 385,134,431
-1 -385,134,431

Now, we try dividing 385,134,431 by 3:

385,134,431 ÷ 3 = 128,378,143.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 128,378,143.6667 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:

1 385,134,431
-1 -385,134,431

Let's try dividing by 4:

385,134,431 ÷ 4 = 96,283,607.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 96,283,607.75 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:

1 385,134,431
-1 385,134,431
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1111791,969195,5992,151,58935,012,221385,134,431
-1-11-179-1,969-195,599-2,151,589-35,012,221-385,134,431

More Examples

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