Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 473,426,701?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 47342670111 x 43038791
Negative: -1 x -473426701-11 x -43038791


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 473,426,701?

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 473,426,701, 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.

1 473,426,701
-1 -473,426,701

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 473,426,701.

Example:
1 x 473,426,701 = 473,426,701
and
-1 x -473,426,701 = 473,426,701
Notice both answers equal 473,426,701

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 473,426,701 and divide it by 2:

473,426,701 ÷ 2 = 236,713,350.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 236,713,350.5 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:

1 473,426,701
-1 -473,426,701

Now, we try dividing 473,426,701 by 3:

473,426,701 ÷ 3 = 157,808,900.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 157,808,900.3333 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:

1 473,426,701
-1 -473,426,701

Let's try dividing by 4:

473,426,701 ÷ 4 = 118,356,675.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 118,356,675.25 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:

1 473,426,701
-1 473,426,701
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

11143,038,791473,426,701
-1-11-43,038,791-473,426,701

More Examples

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