Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 480,187,313?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 480187313
Negative: -1 x -480187313


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 480,187,313?

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 480,187,313, 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.

1 480,187,313
-1 -480,187,313

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 480,187,313.

Example:
1 x 480,187,313 = 480,187,313
and
-1 x -480,187,313 = 480,187,313
Notice both answers equal 480,187,313

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 480,187,313 and divide it by 2:

480,187,313 ÷ 2 = 240,093,656.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 240,093,656.5 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:

1 480,187,313
-1 -480,187,313

Now, we try dividing 480,187,313 by 3:

480,187,313 ÷ 3 = 160,062,437.6667

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 160,062,437.6667 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:

1 480,187,313
-1 -480,187,313

Let's try dividing by 4:

480,187,313 ÷ 4 = 120,046,828.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 120,046,828.25 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:

1 480,187,313
-1 480,187,313
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

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

1480,187,313
-1-480,187,313

More Examples

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