Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 421,307,461?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 421307461101 x 4171361
Negative: -1 x -421307461-101 x -4171361


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 421,307,461?

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 421,307,461, 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.

1 421,307,461
-1 -421,307,461

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 421,307,461.

Example:
1 x 421,307,461 = 421,307,461
and
-1 x -421,307,461 = 421,307,461
Notice both answers equal 421,307,461

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 421,307,461 and divide it by 2:

421,307,461 ÷ 2 = 210,653,730.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 210,653,730.5 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:

1 421,307,461
-1 -421,307,461

Now, we try dividing 421,307,461 by 3:

421,307,461 ÷ 3 = 140,435,820.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 140,435,820.3333 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:

1 421,307,461
-1 -421,307,461

Let's try dividing by 4:

421,307,461 ÷ 4 = 105,326,865.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 105,326,865.25 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:

1 421,307,461
-1 421,307,461
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11014,171,361421,307,461
-1-101-4,171,361-421,307,461

More Examples

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