Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 402,214,427?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 40221442729 x 138694631601 x 2512278663 x 46429
Negative: -1 x -402214427-29 x -13869463-1601 x -251227-8663 x -46429


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 402,214,427?

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 402,214,427, 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.

1 402,214,427
-1 -402,214,427

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 402,214,427.

Example:
1 x 402,214,427 = 402,214,427
and
-1 x -402,214,427 = 402,214,427
Notice both answers equal 402,214,427

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 402,214,427 and divide it by 2:

402,214,427 ÷ 2 = 201,107,213.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 201,107,213.5 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:

1 402,214,427
-1 -402,214,427

Now, we try dividing 402,214,427 by 3:

402,214,427 ÷ 3 = 134,071,475.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 134,071,475.6667 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:

1 402,214,427
-1 -402,214,427

Let's try dividing by 4:

402,214,427 ÷ 4 = 100,553,606.75

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 100,553,606.75 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:

1 402,214,427
-1 402,214,427
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1291,6018,66346,429251,22713,869,463402,214,427
-1-29-1,601-8,663-46,429-251,227-13,869,463-402,214,427

More Examples

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